I want you to tell me frankly how much you have heard. _Literally_ nothing? Then you _will_--the very next time you go to the Hall. Not satisfied with inventing this abominable story, Phyllida feels it her duty to inflict it upon any one who will listen. But you must have seen about the divorce? Not even that? Well, you are wise; these things are unsavoury reading. The case was tried in the summer--"Spenworth's washing-day", as my boy called it--, and the decree will be made absolute in a few weeks' time. It is the fashion to say that my brother-in-law was more sinned against than sinning. Does not that formula always put you on your guard, so to say? He was a mere boy when he succeeded to the title; an immense estate like Cheniston offered too many temptations; his good looks made him a prey for all the harpies; he was too kindly ever to say "no" even to the most dissolute of his associates. And so forth and so on... Goodness me! Arthur--my husband--was two years younger; and, if his old father's iniquitous will did not leave him enough money to tempt the hangers-on, at least he did not play ducks and drakes with what he had. It is more a question of character than of income. And Arthur had his share of good looks, as you can see from Will. No! Whatever Spenworth did, he could always buy indulgence. Establish for yourself the reputation of "a good fellow"--whatever that may mean--; and you will walk on roses all your life... One must assume that _he_ thought the marriage would be a success, but I am sure no one else did. I _knew_ Spenworth, you see. It is ancient history now, but it was only when I destroyed his last hope by marrying Arthur that he turned in desperation to Kathleen Manorby ... after remaining disconsolate for nearly ten years. For her and her like my Will coined the description "chocolate-box beauty." She is still attractive after twenty years... I tried to warn her, so far as one could without having one's motives misconstrued; but she was glamoured by the money and the title. She had several offers, I believe, from men rather more in her own _milieu_, but it was a case of not being able to afford the luxury of marrying a poor man. Otherwise her first love, young Laughton, who broke his heart over her and transferred to the Indian Army... I warned her that Spenworth would be unfaithful before they had been married a year, but she was too sure of her own charm and power.