She was right to wish not to be connected with Mrs. Headway. After all, there had been nothing in his relations with that lady to make it incumbent on him to lie for her. He had not sought her acquaintance, she had sought his; she had sent for him to come and see her. And yet he couldn't give her away, as they said in New York; that stuck in his throat. "I am afraid I really can't say anything. And it would n't matter. Your son won't give her up because I happen not to like her."
"If he were to believe she has done wrong, he would give her up."
"Well, I have no right to say so," said Waterville. Lady Demesne turned away; she was much disappointed in him. He was afraid she was going to break out—"Why, then, do you suppose I asked you here?" She quitted her place near the window and was apparently about to leave the room. But she stopped short. "You know something against her, but you won't say it."
Waterville hugged his folio and looked awkward. "You attribute things to me. I shall never say anything."
"Of course you are perfectly free. There is some one else who knows, I think—another American—a gentleman who was in Paris when my son was there. I have forgotten his name."
"A friend of Mrs. Headway's? I suppose you mean George Littlemore."
"Yes—Mr. Littlemore. He has a sister, whom
