Melrose smiled.
"Certainly. Why not?"
"I am sorry for Mr. Faversham!" said Victoria, in a different voice, the colour sparkling on her cheek.
"Because you think there will be a public opinion against him—that he will be boycotted in this precious county? Make yourself easy, Lady Tatham. A fortune such as he will inherit provides an easy cure for such wounds."
Victoria's self-control began to break down.
"I venture to think he will not find it so," she said, with quickened breath. "In these days it is not so simple to defy the common conscience—as it once was. I fear indeed that Mr. Faversham has already lost the respect of decent men!"
"By becoming my agent?"
"Your tool—for actions—cruel, inhuman things—degrading to both you and him."
She had failed. She knew it! And all that remained was to speak the truth to him, to defy and denounce him.
Melrose surveyed her.