"I am sure of it." "On what grounds ?" asked Mrs.Vrain, holding her temper back with a visible effort, that made her eyes glitter and her breath short.
"On the grounds that he was killed with that stiletto and----" "Go slow! How do you know he was killed with that stiletto ?" "Because the ribbon which attached it to the wall was found in the Geneva Square house, where your husband was killed.

Miss Vrain recognised it." "Miss Vrain--Diana! Is she in England ?" "Not only in England, but in London." "Then why hasn't she been to see me ?" Denzil did not like to answer this question, the more so as Lydia's sudden divergence from the point of discourse rather disconcerted him.
It is impossible to maintain dignity in making a serious accusation when the person against whom it is made thinks so little of it as to turn aside to discuss a point of etiquette in connection with another woman.
Seeing that her accuser was silent and confused, Lydia recovered her tongue and colour, and the equability of her temper.

It was, therefore, with some raillery that she continued her speech: "I see how it is," she said contemptuously, "Diana has called you into her councils in order to fix this absurd charge on to me.

Afraid to come herself, she sends you as the braver person of the partnership.

I congratulate you on your errand, Mr.Denzil." "You can laugh as much as you like, Mrs.Vrain, but the matter is more serious than you suppose." "Oh, I am sure that my loving stepdaughter will make it as serious as possible.