"Both, very probably," murmured Mrs. Verulam, wondering what the conversation of a misinformed madman would be like.
"Or," proceeded Mr. Rodney in a voice that quivered with suspicion, "can it be that—that——"
"Yes?"
"I can hardly force myself to say it—that an adventurer has crept over your threshold? That a monster in mortal guise has dared to take the name of——"
"Huskinson! Now, Mr. Rodney, you are a man of the world. I ask you, can you bring yourself to believe that any human being not christened so would for any purpose whatever assume such a name as Huskinson?"
This was a poser.
"It does not seem very likely," truth compelled him to reply.
"I knew your intellect would not desert you," she said kindly. "Now take me back to the Enclosure."
"But—but Lady Jane Clinch, Mrs. Brainton Gumm—they—they are——"
"They are endeavouring to be offensive," said Mrs. Verulam, with a slightly rising colour, but endeavouring to support herself with thoughts of her desire for the true life and Mr. James Bush. "But if they only knew how I long to be allowed to escape from this cage, they would try to shut the door which they are opening."