“I've nothing to say about that, Vigil. George has behaved abominably. I don't uphold him; but if the woman wishes the suit defended he can't play the cur—that's what I was brought up to believe.”

Gregory leaned his forehead on his hand.

“The whole system is odious——” he was beginning.

Mr. Paramor chimed in.

“Let us keep to the facts; without the system.”

The Rector spoke for the first time.

“I don't know what you mean about the system; both this man and this woman are guilty——”

Gregory said in a voice that quivered with rage:

“Be so kind as not to use the expression, 'this woman.'.rdquo;

The Rector glowered.