I know these people--if they've got an idea into their heads they'll ride it to death.

Nevertheless, what I say is a fact." Dick presently went off--and once more Ransford looked at Mary.

And this time, Mary had to meet her guardian's inquiring glance.
"Have you heard anything of this ?" he asked.
"That there was a rumour--yes," she replied without hesitation.
"But--not until just now--this morning." "Who told you of it ?" inquired Ransford.
Mary hesitated.

Then she remembered that Mr.Folliot, at any rate, had not bound her to secrecy.
"Mr.Folliot," she replied.

"He called me into his garden, to give me those roses, and he mentioned that Mrs.Deramore had said these things to Mrs.Folliot, and as he seemed to think it highly probable that Mrs.
Folliot would repeat them, he told me because he didn't want you to think that the rumour had originally arisen at his house." "Very good of him, I'm sure," remarked Ransford dryly.