She would agree with the opinions, but did not feel bound to furnish material for them. She could hardly be blamed there. The candle and the white sheet--in open congregation--have fallen into such general disuse that Jenny could not be asked to revive them. So far she might be excused--people do not expect confessions. But she seemed to underrate what she termed "opinions" even though, as opinions, she thought that she would agree with them. On this subject neither Alison nor Mrs. Jepps would talk of "opinions"; they would use other words. When she said that there was nobody who had a right to harbor the affair against her, it was easy to understand her meaning; but her meaning did not exhaust the case. Society claims the right--and has the power--to harbor things against us; hence the gallows, the prisons, and decrees of social banishment. However, this sort of talk was confidential--between her and me only. If society were disposed to give her the benefit of the doubt, it would be very unlike Jenny not to make the thing as easy as possible for society. Often society has no objection to being "cheated"; it will let you shut its eyes to what you have done--strictly on condition that you do not so much as hint that you had any right to do it. But it was doubtful whether Jenny would find all Catsford in this accommodating temper. "What's your opinion?" she asked abruptly. "If I understand you rightly, you did a serious thing; on any theory and to anybody who thinks--never mind his precise views--a very serious thing. But you seem to know that well enough, and more talk about it won't mend matters."