"Well; of all the cold-blooded speeches I ever heard, that is the worst. After all that has passed between us, you do not scruple to tell me that you cannot even express tenderness for me, lest it should bring you into trouble! Men have felt that before, I do not doubt; but I hardly think any man was ever hard enough to make such a speech. I wonder whether Captain De Baron is so considerate." "What do you mean by that?" "You come here and talk to me about your angel, and then tell me that you cannot show me even the slightest tenderness, lest it should make you miserable,--and you expect me to hold my tongue." "I don't know why you should mention Captain De Baron." "I'll tell you why, Lord George. There are five or six of us playing this little comedy. Mr. Houghton and I are married, but we have not very much to say to each other. It is the same with you and Mary." "I deny it." "I daresay; but at the same time you know it to be true. She consoles herself with Captain De Baron. With whom Mr. Houghton consoles himself I have never taken the trouble to enquire. I hope someone is good-natured to him, poor old soul. Then, as to you and me,--you used, I think, to get consolation here. But such comforts cost trouble, and you hate trouble." As she said this, she wound her arm inside his; and he, angry as he was with her for speaking as she had done of his wife, could not push her from him roughly. "Is not that how it is, George?" "No?" "Then I don't think you understand the play as well as I do." "No! I deny it all." "All?" "Everything about Mary. It's a slander to mention that man's name in connection with her,--a calumny which I will not endure." "How is it, then, if they mention mine in connection with you?" "I am saying nothing about that." "But I suppose you think of it. I am hardly of less importance to myself than Lady George is to herself. I did think I was not of less importance to you." "Nobody ever was or ever can be of so much importance to me as my wife, and I will be on good terms with no one who speaks evil of her." "They may say what they like of me?" "Mr. Houghton must look to that." "It is no business of yours, George?"