“I know all that!” Sherry said impatiently. “But what on earth should take him to seduce this wretched girl — ”
“Oh, I don’t know, Sherry!” interposed Ferdy fair-mindedly. “Pass the time away — devilish dull, I dare say!”
“Yes, that is what I think,” Hero agreed. “But how wicked, Ferdy! How heartless! How could he do so? He has ruined her for mere sport, for I don’t believe he ever cared for her in the least degree!”
“You know what?” suddenly said Ferdy, addressing himself to Mr Ringwood. “Couldn’t make out why it all sounds so dashed familiar! Got it now! Saw a piece at the Lyceum Theatre just like it. Father threw the girl out into the snow. Ruth’s father throw her into the snow, Kitten?”
“No, no — at least, I don’t know! But this is true, Ferdy!”
“Never heed Ferdy!” commanded the Viscount. “The thing is, Kitten, it ain’t our affair, and we can’t — ”
Under the wide, shocked gaze from Hero’s eyes he faltered, and cast a wild look towards Mr Ringwood for support.
Mr Ringwood did his best. “Sherry don’t care to have Revesby’s baby in his spare bedroom, Kitten. Can’t blame him: might keep him awake.”
“Oh no, but just for tonight — ! Sherry, you would not be so unkind as to turn the poor soul away at this hour of night! You could not!”
“No, I don’t say I’ll do that, but the thing is, Kitten — Dash it, what the devil does Monty mean by saddling me with his by-blow?” exclaimed Sherry, in accents of strong indignation.