"Maude! Maude! was that all you heard?"
"All! I should think it was enough."
"Yes, but—" He broke off, so agitated as scarcely to know what he was saying. Rallying himself somewhat, he laid his hand upon the white cloak covering her shoulders.
"Do not judge him harshly, Maude. Indeed he is a true friend to you and to me. And I have need of one just now."
"A true friend!—to advise that! I never heard of anything so monstrous. You must be out of your mind."
"No, I am not, Maude. Should—disgrace"—he seemed to hesitate for a word—"fall upon me, it must touch you as connected with me. I know, Maude, that he was thinking of your best and truest interests."
"But to talk of separating husband and wife!"
"Yes—well—I suppose he spoke strongly in the heat of the moment."
There was a pause. Lord Hartledon had his hand still on his wife's shoulder, but his eyes were bent on the table near which they stood. She was waiting for him to speak.
"Won't you tell me what has happened?"