"John Bridgewater," said Miss Hancock, "you have known me from my childhood, you know I hate shuffling, come to the point—there is a lady—well, I have known it all along, so you need not be afraid to speak. Just tell me all you know. You are very well aware that no one cares for Mr James as much as I do. You are very well aware that some men need protecting. You know very well there is no better-hearted man in the world than my brother."
"None indeed."
"And you know very well that he is just the man to fall a victim to a designing woman. Think for a moment. What would a woman see in a man of his age, except his money."
"Very true; though I'm sure, Miss Patience, no man would make a better husband for a woman than Mr James."
"Oh, don't talk nonsense! When a man arrives at his age, he is too old to be made into a husband, but he is not too old to be made into a fool. Now tell me all you know about this affair. First of all, what is the—person's name?"
"The person I suspect, Miss Patience, though indeed my suspicions may be wrong, is a Miss Lambert."
"Surely not any relation of the Highgate Lamberts?"
"The daughter, Miss Patience."
"That broken-down lot! Good heavens! Are you sure?"
"Perfectly sure."