“Not at all, sir, I assure you! No such suspicion is cherished by me, upon my word!”
“What suspicion?” asked Sir Richard, still more bewildered.
“None sir, none in the world! That is just what I was saying. I have no suspicion—”
“But I have!” said Mrs Griffin, in much more robust tones. “I accuse you of concealing the truth from me!”
“Mama, do but consider! You cannot—you know you cannot insult this gentleman by insinuating—”
“In the execution of my duty there is nothing I cannot do!” responded his mother nobly. “Besides, I do not know him. I mistrust him.”
Mr Griffin turned wretchedly to Sir Richard: “You see, sir, my mother—”
“Mistrusts me,” supplied Sir Richard.
“No, no, I assure you! My mother is sadly put out, and scarcely knows what she is saying.”
“I am in the fullest possession of my faculties, I thank you, Frederick!” said Mrs Griffin, gathering strength.