'Doctor, there have been love-makings, you may take my word for it; love-makings of a very, very, very advanced description.'
This, the doctor could not stand. No, not for Greshamsbury and its heir; not for the squire and all his misfortunes; not for Lady Arabella and the blood of all the De Courcys could he stand quiet and hear Mary thus accused. He sprang up another foot in height, and expanded equally in width as he flung back the insinuation.
'Who says so? Whoever says so, whoever speaks of Miss Thorne in such language, says what is not true. I will pledge my word—'
'My dear doctor, my dear doctor, what took place was quite clearly heard; there was no mistake about it, indeed.'
'What took place? What was heard?'
'Well, then, I don't want, you know, to make more of it than can be helped. The thing must be stopped, that is all.'
'What thing? Speak out, Lady Arabella. I will not have Mary's conduct impugned by inuendoes. What is it that the eavesdroppers have heard?'
'Dr. Thorne, there have been no eavesdroppers.'
'And no talebearers either? Will your ladyship oblige me by letting me know what is the accusation which you bring against my niece?'
'There has been most positively an offer made, Dr. Thorne.'
'And who made it?'
'Oh, of course I am not going to say but what Frank must have been very imprudent. Of course he has been to blame. There has been fault on both sides, no doubt.'
'I utterly deny it. I positively deny it. I know nothing of the circumstances; have heard nothing about it—'
'Then of course you can't say,' said Lady Arabella.
'I know nothing of the circumstance; have heard nothing about it,' continued Dr. Thorne; 'but I do know my niece, and am ready to assert that there has not been fault on both sides. Whether there has been any fault on any side, that I do not yet know.'
'I can assure you, Dr. Thorne, that an offer was made by Frank; such an offer cannot be without its allurements to a young lady circumstanced like your niece.'
'Allurements!' almost shouted the doctor, and, as he did so, Lady Arabella stepped back a pace or two, retreating from the fire which shot out of his eyes. 'But the truth is, Lady Arabella, you do not know my niece. If you will have the goodness to let me understand what it is that you desire I will tell you whether I can comply with your wishes.'
