Hero promised to comport herself with the utmost propriety, and they went off together, bought themselves a two-shilling box for the forthcoming performance at the Great Booth, and filled in the time until the curtain should rise on this promising melodrama in wandering about the market, inspecting all the freaks, and buying one another several perfectly useless fairings. The Hall of Death was so bloodcurdling that Hero held Sherry’s hand tightly from start to finish, responding to his inquiry as to whether she was enjoying it with an eloquent shudder which he correctly interpreted as signifying contentment of no mean order.
On their way home he warned her that on no account must she divulge where she had been, and most strictly forbade her to frequent Lady Appleby’s company. Close questioning on the subject of Mr Yarford’s advances made him reject, not without regret, his first intention to send his cartel to this callow young gentleman. The Viscount, finding for the first time in his life that he had to be wise for two people, realized that to call Mr Yarford to account would be to plunge his Hero into the very scandal he wished to avoid. Much as it went against the grain with him, he had sense enough to perceive that his best course would be to remain in official ignorance of his wife’s escapade. Since Mr Yarford had been made to appear ridiculous at the hands of a sturdy Cit, it was safe to assume that he would certainly preserve the most discreet silence concerning the day’s doings.
“None of the Yarfords are at all the thing, Kitten,” he said abruptly. “Brockenhurst ain’t either. Yes, I know I’m pretty well-acquainted with him, but that don’t signify. A fellow may know any number of bloods he don’t choose to present to his wife.” He suddenly recollected that this was precisely what he had done, and added: “Never ought to have invited him to dine with us. The thing is I keep forgetting I’m married.”
“Well, to tell you the truth, Sherry, I did not care for him very much,” confessed Hero. “And I was quite shocked by Gussie’s headstrong manners. You know, she never used to behave in that odd way, when we were children. And although, of course, I know that a great many ladies have lovers I do not think that it is good ton to permit them to treat them with such familiarity as Sir Matthew uses towards her.”
“Who told you that a great many ladies have lovers?” demanded the Viscount. “Don’t say it was me, now! I never told you any such thing, I swear I didn’t!”
“Oh no, but I have been about the world now, and I know hundreds of things I never had the least notion of before!” said Hero, not without pride. She glanced shyly at him. “And that was what you meant, wasn’t it, Sherry, when you said that you would not mind what I did if only I were discreet?”
The Viscount met her eyes full. It was, in fact, exactly what he had meant. He wondered if there were any insanity in his family, and replied shortly: “No, it was not!”
“Oh!” said Hero. She suggested: “I dare say you think me too young for such things?”
“I do. Much too young!” replied his lordship emphatically.
“Oh!” said Hero again, and said no more.