wn choice.'

'Then he oughtn't let you do it. No honourable man would.'

'That has nothing to do with you,' Nancy exclaimed, anger blanching her
cheek. 'Please don't talk about my husband. You say things you ought to
be ashamed of.'

'Oh, don't be angry!' The facile tears started in Jessica's eyes. 'It's
because I feel indignant on your account, dear.'

'I don't want your indignation. Never mention this subject again, or I
shall feel sure you do it on purpose to annoy me.'

Jessica melted into mawkishness; none the less, Nancy felt a slave
to her former friend, who, for whatever reason, seemed to have grown
hypocritical and spiteful. When next the girl called, she was told that
Miss. Lord had left home for the day, a fiction which spared Nancy an
hour's torment. Miss. Morgan made up for it by coming very early on the
next Sunday afternoon, and preparing herself avowedly for a stay until
late in the evening. Resolute to avoid a long _tete-a-tete_, which was
sure to exasperate her temper, Nancy kept Mary in the room, and listened
to no hint from Jessica that they should retire for the accustomed
privacy.

At four o'clock they were joined by Samuel Barmby, whom, for once, Nancy
welcomed with pleasure. Samuel, who had come in the hope of finding
Miss. Lord alone, gave but the coldest attention to Jessica; Mary,
however, he greeted with grave courtesy, addressing to her several
remarks which were meant as a recognition of social equality in the
quondam servant. He was dressed with elaborate care. Snowy cuffs
concealed half his hands; his moustache, of late in training, sketched
the graceful curl it would presently achieve; a faint perfume attended
the drawing forth of his silk handkerchief.

Samuel never lacked a subject for the display of eloquence. Today it was
one that called for indignant fervour.

'A most disgraceful fact has come under my notice, and I am sorry
to say, Miss. Lord, that it concerns some one with whom you are
acquainted.'

'Indeed?' said Nancy, not without tremor. 'Who is that?'

'Mr. Peachey, of De Crespigny Park. I believe you are on terms of
friendship with the family.'

'Oh, you can hardly call it friendship. I know them.'

'Then I may speak without fear of paining you. You are aware that Mr
Peachey is a member of the firm of Ducker, Blunt & Co., who manufacture
disinfectants. Now, if any manufacture should be carried on in a
conscientious spirit--as of course _all_ manufactures should