"Oh, Antoinette," sighed Lady Strife—"I never was so surprised in my life as when I heard of your deceit."
"My deceit!" said Tony quickly.
"Yes—going about with a man like Furlonger, and hiding it from your father and mother—don't you call that deceit?"
"I didn't know he was Furlonger."
"But you knew it was wrong to have a secret friendship with any man whatsoever. I never heard of such a thing in a young girl of your age and position—it's what housemaids do, and not nice housemaids at that."
"Mother," cried Tony, her voice shaking unexpectedly, "it was an adventure."
"A what!" shouted Sir Gambier.
His wife winced.
"Don't startle me, dear. And let the child say what she likes—I'm glad she has a theory to explain her actions."