Who else knew anything of the affair?
Searching her memory, Emmeline recalled a person unknown to her, a married lady, who had dropped in at Mrs.Grove's when she and Louise were there.
'I didn't like her--a supercilious sort of person.

And she talked a great deal of her acquaintance with important people.

It's far more likely to have come from her than from either of those men.

I shall write and tell Molly so.' They began to feel uncomfortable, and seriously thought of getting rid of the burden so imprudently undertaken.

Louise, the next day, wanted to take Emmeline to town, and showed dissatisfaction when she had to go unaccompanied.