"I spoke to him," said Mrs. Felix, with a more assured tone, "in much the same spirit as you have been addressing me. It does, indeed, seem a most imprudent act, and I thought it my duty to tell him so."
"Ay, no doubt; but how came you, lady fair, to imagine that I was also a person to be dreaded by his Lordship—I, Vivian Grey?"
"Did I say you?" asked the lady, pale as death—
"Did you not, Mrs. Felix Lorraine? Have you not, regardless of my interests, in the most unwarrantable and unjustifiable manner—have you not, to gratify some private pique which you entertain against Mr. Cleveland, have you not, I ask you, poisoned the Marquess's mind against one, who never did aught to you, but what was kind and honourable?"
"I have been imprudent—I confess it—I have spoken somewhat loosely."
"Now, madam, listen to me once more,"
