WHITEWASH
The words were wrung from her by sudden emotion. There was no doubting their sincerity.
Mrs. Durham was silent with surprise; but Philippa was eloquent with mortally wounded pride.
"You dare speak so! to my very face!" she cried, crimson with passion. "You—a notorious woman—yes, notorious! a woman who loses her character wilfully, and then attempts to blacken a man's reputation with the meanest, most despicable lies!" She choked with anger.
Mrs. Durham turned on her fiercely. "So you make this statement as a matter of personal knowledge, do you? Mr. Conway, you heard what Miss Ford has just said—not even referring to any informant, but making a statement pure and simple."
Philippa exploded again.
"And you!—you! Leave this house at once!"
Morton restrained her.
"Philippa, dear, don't! You forget yourself. Mrs. Durham, I hardly think Miss Ford can continue this painful interview."
"I won't be quiet! I won't be silenced! I
