"A matter of State?" she demanded.
"No."
"Violating a confidence?"
"No."
"Inexpedient!" she reflected—"Inexpedient!—there can be but one more reason:—it might provoke scandal, if known. Is that it?"
"You are the very devil, Judith!" he exclaimed;—"yes, that is it."
"Oh, delightful! delightful! Come, sir, what is it? Now, I will not be put off."
He looked at her doubtfully, undecided what to do. He thought he could trust her—he felt sure that he could. But, what if she babbled?
"You do not trust me," she said. "You fear that I shall tell."