During the whole interview we had been kept standing, since Lady Longmoor remained standing herself. I fancied she had an eye to rapid withdrawal whenever a promising strategic opportunity presented itself. As she spoke, she too moved towards the door. But Hartover, who, to my great comfort, had paused, listening both to her impertinently enthusiastic flourish and my disclaimer, faced about blocking her passage.
‘One moment,’ he said. ‘Has Mr. Halidane, may I inquire, crowned his amiable mission as scandalmonger by communicating this piece of stolen information to my father?’
‘No. He felt it was his duty to tell your father, but very properly consulted me first. And I dissuaded him.’
‘How charming of you!’ from Hartover, not without sarcasm.
‘I begged him to wait—not to speak of it yet. Later, I felt, circumstances might not improbably arise which would compel us to break it to your father. But naturally I wished to spare him as long as⸺’
‘Pray, is that a threat?’
‘Hardly a threat. But a warning—yes, possibly, dearest George. Take my advice and lay it to heart. And, since plain speaking seems the fashion to-night, you know your manner towards me is excessively strange—barely civil, in fact. Have you been drinking, by chance?’
The boy shook his head; but with an air! Insolence being to the fore, it was diamond cut diamond as between stepmother and stepson.
‘Oh! dear, no. I have touched nothing stronger than water to-day,’ he said.