"Do you understand ?" "Y-es; thank you.

Yet, I should never have heard of it at all if you had not told me." Rosamund's colour rose one degree: "It is better to hear such things from a friend, is it not ?" "I didn't know that one's friends said such things; but perhaps it is better that way, as you say, only, I cannot understand the necessity of my knowing--of my hearing--because it is Captain Selwyn's affair, after all." "And that," said Rosamund deliberately, "is why I told _you_." "Told _me_?
Oh--because he and I are such close friends ?" "Yes--such very close friends that I"-- she laughed--"I am informed that your interests are soon to be identical." The girl swung round, self-possessed, but dreadfully pale.
"If you believed that," she said, "it was vile of you to say what you said, Mrs.Fane." "But I did _not_ believe it, child!" stammered Rosamund, several degrees redder than became her, and now convinced that it was true.

"I n-never dreamed of offending you, Miss Erroll--" "Do you suppose I am too ignorant to take offence ?" said the girl unsteadily.

"I told you very plainly that I did not understand the matters you chose for discussion; but I do understand impertinence when I am driven to it." "I am very, very sorry that you believe I meant it that way," said Rosamund, biting her lips.
"What did you mean?
You are older than I, you are certainly experienced; besides, you are married.

If you can give it a gentler name than insolence I would be glad--for your sake, Mrs.Fane.I only know that you have spoiled my ride, spoiled the day for me, hurt me, humiliated me, and awakened, not curiosity, not suspicion, but the horror of it, in me.