And he fell to quoting from the Pauline epistles in Greek--to the lively annoyance of his auditor, whose education, though solid did not include a knowledge of those languages vulgarly known as "dead." She naturally sought means to round on him. "Might you not compromise yourself rather by such a sermon, James?" she presently said. "Compromise myself? Certainly not.--Pray, Jane, how?" "By laying yourself open to the suspicion of a larger acquaintance with the origin of those rumours than you are willing to admit." The shaft went home. "This is a mere attempt to draw me. You are disingenuous." "Nothing of the sort," the lady declared. "My one object is to protect you from criticism. And preaching upon gossip must invite rather than allay interest, thus giving this particular gossip a new lease of life. The application would be too obvious. Clearly, James, it would be wiser to wait." "The serpent, again the serpent--and one I've warmed in my bosom, too"--Then aloud--"I will think it over, my love. Possibly your view may be the right one. It is worth consideration.--That must be sufficient. And now, Jane, I do implore you give over discussion and let us say good night." It may be registered as among the consequences of these nocturnal exercises, that Dr. Horniblow abstained from tickling the ears of his congregation, on the following Sunday, with a homily founded upon the sin tale-bearing; and that he duly called, next day, at The Hard accompanied by his wife. The visit--not inconceivably to his inward thanksgiving--proved unfruitful of opportunity for excusing Miss Bilson, to her former employer, by accusing himself, Sir Charles Verity's courtesy being of an order calculated to discourage any approach to personal topics. Unfruitful, also, of enlightenment to Mrs. Horniblow respecting matters which--as the good lady ashamedly confessed to herself--although forbidden by her lord, still intrigued her while, of course, they most suitably shocked. For the life of her she could not help looking out for signs of disturbance and upheaval. But found none, unless--and that presented a conundrum difficult of solution--Damaris' pretty social readiness and grace in the reception of her guests might be, in some way, referable to lately reported events. That, and the fact the young girl was--as the saying is--"all eyes"--eyes calm, fathomless, reflective, which yet, when you happened to enter their sphere of vision, covered you with a new-born gentleness. Mrs. Horniblow caught herself growing lyrical--thinking of stars, of twin mountain lakes, the blue-purple of ocean. A girl in love is blessed with just such eyes--sometimes. Whereupon, remembering her own two girls, May and Doris--good as gold, bless them, yet, her shrewdness pronounced, when compared with Damaris, but homely pieces--the excellent woman sighed.