"Why did you tell Jerrold they were lovers, then?" she said.
"Did I tell Jerrold they were lovers?"
"He thinks you did."
"He must have misunderstood what I said. Colin gave me his word of honour that there was nothing between them."
But Maisie had no mercy.
"Why should he do that if you didn't think there was? If you were mistaken then you may be mistaken now."
"I'm not mistaken now. Ask Colin, ask Eliot, ask Anne's father."
"I shouldn't dream of asking them. You forget, if Jerrold's my husband,
Anne's my friend."
"Then for goodness sake keep her out of mischief. Keep her out of Jerrold's way. Anne's a darling and I'm devoted to her, but she always did love playing with fire. If she's bent on burning her pretty wings it isn't kind to bring her where the lamp is."
"I'd trust Anne's wings to keep her out of danger."