“It would make no difference to you, I suppose, if this report were true? It wouldn’t injure her in your opinion?” “On the contrary, it would greatly increase my respect for her.” Hammond seemed to be trying to sound the depths of his companion’s character. “I congratulate you. But you wouldn’t marry her?” Despencer drew back, and shook his head with an amused air. “Oh no! I am afraid I am not broad-minded enough for that.” “Why not?” “I couldn’t outrage decency, you know. Society would think me worse than the marquis.” “Damn society!” “Oh, it is damned already,” said Despencer, quickly. “But even down below there are certain regulations which must be respected. There is an etiquette of Pandemonium.” Hammond gave him another thoughtful look. “You are a very clever man, Despencer, but, do you know, you almost make immorality tedious. If you are not careful, people will begin to get bored by vice, and virtue will become the fashion.” “That is not a bad idea. There is always something attractive in novelty.” Again Hammond reflected for a minute, and again he resumed his questioning. “Tell me, has the marchioness heard this rumor?” Despencer had not been expecting this question, and it nearly threw him off his guard. His eye met Hammond’s for a moment before he answered. “I should hardly think so, or she wouldn’t have had her here. That would have been too daring, even for her.” “It would be equally daring for her to come here if there were anything in it. Surely her very presence here proves her innocence?” “Yes; but what about Lord Severn’s absence? You saw him hurry out the moment she arrived?” “My God, yes!” The words were dragged from Hammond in a burst of anguish. “There is some damned mystery in this!” he muttered between his teeth. “Of course, it may be a mere coincidence,” the tempter threw in, artfully. “But I am always so suspicious of coincidences.” Hammond was not listening. A new idea had occurred to him. “I have a great mind to go to Severn himself, and put myself in his hands. But, then, of course, one couldn’t trust him,” he added, regretfully. “He is a man of honor,” objected the other. “And when the good name of a woman is at stake, men of honor always lie,” was the stern retort. “Oh would to Heaven you had either never told me this, or else proved it up to the very hilt.” “I didn’t speak out of any zeal for morality, you may be sure. I had simply heard the common talk, and I naturally assumed that it was true.” “Why?” Despencer gave a delicate, self-satisfied smile. “When there is any doubt, I always believe the worst. I find I am seldom wrong.” Hammond stepped back, with an indignant gesture. He was beginning to feel ashamed of the discussion. “And you can stand like that and smile away a reputation!” he exclaimed. “I wonder what they made you of.”