Mr. S. As I said before, it is a most difficult subject to approach, and I would willingly spare you. Give me a moment to think how I can best put it to you.
Mrs. V. B. Pray have no hesitation in telling me what it is. (With half-disguised emotion.) Does it—does it refer in any way to my—to my past life, for instance? (With affected cheerfulness.)
Mr. S. It does refer to incidents in your past life. To many incidents in general, and to one incident in particular.
Mrs. V. B. For Heaven’s sake, sir, be explicit. Speak out, I implore you. (With suppressed agitation.)
Mr. S. You seem strangely agitated, Mrs. Van Brugh.
Mrs. V. B. No, no; I am ill and nervous to-day. Your manner is rather alarming. (With affected cheerfulness.) You know I’m a very bad hand at guessing riddles, Mr. Smailey. Come, what is it? I give it up. (He hesitates.) Why have you any hesitation in telling me?
Mr. S. Because it involves a particularly delicate moral point. (She is much agitated.) God bless me, you seem very much alarmed.
Mrs. V. B. (with determination). Mr. Smailey, once and for all, I insist upon knowing what it is.
Mr. S. Well, then, to be quite plain with you, it is currently reported in the village that you have taken a miserable woman from the streets and established her in the character of a respectable workwoman within a hundred yards of this spot. (Mrs. Van Brugh, whose agitation and alarm have been intense, is greatly relieved.) Moreover, I have been informed that you have, for some years past, been in the habit of searching out women of bad character who profess penitence, with the view of enabling them to earn their living in the society of blameless Christians.