"My husband's reputation can take care of itself."
"Not in Scale."
"There's no more scandal talked in Scale than in any other place. I never pay any attention to it."
"That's all very well—but you must defend yourself sometimes. And when it comes to saying that I've been living with Mr. Majendie in Scarby for the last three years—"
Mrs. Majendie was so calm that Lady Cayley fancied that, after all, this was not the first time she had heard that rumour.
"Let them say it," said she. "Nobody'll believe it."
"Everybody believes it. I came to you because I was afraid you'd be the first."
"To believe it? I assure you, Lady Cayley, I should be the last."
"What was to prevent you? You didn't know me."
"No. But I know my husband."