Nataly took the unintended blow, and bowed to it; and still more harshly said: ‘What rank of life does the woman come from?’
‘The class educated for a skittish career by your popular Stage and your Book-stalls. I am not precise?’
‘Leave Mr. Durance. Is she in any degree commonly well bred?... behaviour, talk-her English.’
‘I trench on Mr. Durance in replying. Her English is passable. You may hear...’
‘Everywhere, of course! And this woman of slipshod English and excited manners imposed upon Nesta!’
‘It would not be my opinion.’
‘Did not impose on her!’
‘Not many would impose on Nesta Radnor for long.’
‘Think what that says, Dartrey!’
‘You have had a detestable version of the story.’