Lady Cecilia only laughed ironically.
"You make merry, madam, at my misfortunes," said Sir Rupert; "but I can assure you that the present is no laughing matter."
"And I unfortunately have no more diamonds and jewellery for you to rob me of," returned the lady.
"No, Cecilia—but you are my wife; and the disgrace that falls upon your husband would redound on yourself."
"Oh! if you be afraid of rusticating in the Queen's Bench prison for a season, I would advise you to make yourself easy on that head; because—"
"Because what, Cecilia?"
"Because I can assure all your friends and acquaintances that you are merely passing the winter in Paris."
"Ridiculous!" cried the baronet impatiently.
"Not so ridiculous as you imagine," returned Lady Cecilia. "You are accustomed, you know, to leave home for weeks and months together."
"Lady Cecilia, this is no time for either ill-feeling or sarcasm. If we have no love for one another, at least let us sit down and converse calmly upon the urgency of our present situation."