The girl was evidently agitated.
But she seemed not to know how to begin what she had to say.
Doris broke the silence.
"You were astonished to find that I know the Dunstables ?" "Oh, no!--I didn't think--" stammered her visitor--"I supposed some friend of yours might be staying there." "My husband is staying there," said Doris, quietly.

Really it was too much trouble to tell a falsehood.

Her pride refused.
"Oh, I see!" cried Miss Wigram, though in fact she was more bewildered than before.

Why should this extraordinary little lady have behaved at the studio as if she had never heard of the Dunstables, and be now confessing that her husband was actually staying in their house?
Doris smiled--with perfect self-possession.
"Please sit down.

You think it odd, of course, that I didn't tell you I knew the Dunstables, while we were talking about them.