'Dear no—to the young lady herself. I am speaking of course of Miss Mavis.'
'Ah yes, my mother tells me you have her greatly on your mind.'
'So has your mother herself—now.'
'She is so good as to say so—to oblige you.'
'She would oblige me a great deal more by reassuring me. I am aware that you know I have told her that Miss Mavis is greatly talked about.'
'Yes, but what on earth does it matter?'
'It matters as a sign.'
'A sign of what?'
'That she is in a false position.'