"Yes—and then?"
"I want them—her ladyship and...."
"My wife and daughter. I understand."
"... I want them to know as little about it as possible; to know nothing about it if possible. You knew very little about it yourself till just now."
"I was misled—kindly, I know—but misled for all that. And the appearance is so extraordinary. Nobody could guess...."
"Exactly. Because the eyes are really unaffected and are sure to come right. See now what I am asking you to do for me. Help me to deceive them about it. They will not test my eyesight as you did just now...."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I heard Irene and your daughter talking in the garden a few minutes ago—just after the breakfast-bell rang—talking about me, and I eavesdropped as hard as I could. Lady Gwendolen has promised Irene to say nothing about my eyesight for my sake. She will keep her promise...."
"How do you know that?"
"By the sound of her voice."