“Regret meeting Mrs. Lucien?� Mr. Wylie raised his eyebrows quizzically. “And why, may I ask? Am I to infer that you do me the honor to be—�
“No, no, of course not. But—I feel that we have done her harm—an incalculable amount of harm.�
“We do her harm? Will you be so kind as to explain your anomalous words? I am not accustomed to think of myself as a dangerous character, either specially or as regards the body-politic,� he replied, frowning.
“I mean that, by our aid, she went to hear Dr. Lyman, and I am afraid his pernicious theories will ruin her,� faltered Mrs. Wylie, as she detected her husband’s disapproval.
“My dear, I would have you choose your adjectives more carefully. Pernicious is an offensive word to use in connection with a subject of which you know so little. Oblige me by deferring your judgment until you are better acquainted with the subject. Your blind prejudice is making you censorious.� Mr. Wylie employed his most lofty tone and manner.
“I never want to know more of the subject, and I shall always regret that I ever went or took Mrs. Lucien to hear that man!� Mrs. Wylie’s blue eyes filled with tears.
“Why, see here, Puss, you seem more out of humor than usual. What has happened to Mrs. Lucien?�
“Matter enough! She is entirely carried away with that—that Dr. Lyman’s creed,� she stammered.
“Perhaps you wouldn’t mind telling me where she has gone,� he suggested with serio-comic gravity.
Mrs. Wylie smiled through her tears.