Maxwell looked out into the square to pluck up courage. He coughed as men do when they are utterly at a loss--when it is worth while to gain even a moment. ‘Don’t be angry with me,’ he said, with sudden humility. ‘I should not have taken it in hand, especially as you have that feeling--but--look here, I _have_ taken it in hand, and I must speak. Beresford, old Sommerville came to me yesterday. He’s Meredith’s friend, with a general commission to look after the family.’ ‘Has anything happened to Meredith?’ said Mr. Beresford, with concern. ‘This is the second time you have mentioned them. I scarcely know him--but if there is anything wrong, I shall be very sorry for _her_ sake.’ ‘There is nothing wrong, unless it is of your doing,’ said the doctor, with abrupt determination. ‘To tell the truth, Meredith has heard, or somebody has told him, or a gossiping has been got up--I don’t know what--about your visits. You go there too often, they say--every night----’ ‘Maxwell!’ cried James Beresford, springing to his feet. ‘There! I told you,’ said the doctor. ‘I said you would be angry--as if it were my fault. I am only the mouthpiece. Old Sommerville would have come to you himself--but I was sure it could be nothing but inadvertence, and undertook the office, knowing you too well--much too well--to think for a moment----’ ‘Inadvertence! Knowing me too well to think! In the name of heaven, what is there to think? What have I been inadvertent about? Angry! Of course I am angry. What have I done to be gossiped about? One of us must be out of his senses surely, either you or I----’ ‘No, it isn’t that. Gossip does not spare anyone. And, pardon me,’ said the doctor, growing bolder now that the worst was over, ‘if you had ever thought on the subject, you must have seen that such frequent visits--to a woman who is married, whose husband is at the other end of the world----’ ‘Stop--stop, I tell you! I will not have _her_ discussed or her name introduced.’ ‘That is quite right, Beresford. I knew you would feel so. Is it right then that the tenderest heart on the face of the earth should be worried and bullied because of you?’ ‘Good God!’ cried the bewildered man, ‘has she been worried and bullied? What do you mean? Who has presumed to find fault? She is---- I am not going to say what she is.’ ‘It is not necessary. I know that as well as anyone.’