"I probably shall," said the big guest, "unless it is excessively interesting; otherwise I never remember what is a secret and what isn't."
But Molly did not heed him.
"Well," she said, "it is a fact that Father Molyneux would give up the Roman Church to-morrow if a very intimate friend of mine, who could give him as much wealth as he has lost, would agree to marry him after he ceased to be a priest!"
"Oh! how dreadfully disappointing!" cried Adela.
"Why shouldn't he?" said Billy.
"It seems a come-down," said the fat man; and the soldier said nothing.
"Stuff and nonsense," said Lady Sophia firmly. "Somebody has been humbugging you, Molly."
But being a lady who liked peace better than warfare, she now went on to say that she had had no notion how late it was until this moment, and that she really must be off. Her farewell was quite friendly, but Molly's was cold.
The departure of Lady Sophia made a welcome break, and, in spite of the hostess being silent and out of temper, the men managed to divert the conversation into less serious topics. But they were not likely to forget what Molly had impressed upon their minds by the strange vehemence with which she had emphasised her accusations.
"She meant herself, I suppose?" asked Billy, when leaving the house with his stout fellow guest. "Do you believe it?"