Alice Wensleydale walked rapidly away. But that night, in the Grosville
house, she spoke out.

"She told Lina and myself the whole story. You'd have thought the woman
was possessed. My wife--she's not of the crying sort, nor am I. But she
cried, and I believe--well, I can tell you it was enough to move a
stone. And when she'd done, she just went away, and locked her door, and
let no one say a word to her. She has told one or two other relations
and friends, and--"

"And the relations and friends have told others?"

"Well, I can answer for myself," said Grosville after a pause. "This
happened three months ago. I never have told, and never shall tell, all
the details as she told them to us. But we have let enough be known--"

"Enough?--enough to damn Madame d'Estrées?"

"Oh, well, as far as the women were concerned, she was mostly that
already. There are other tales going about. I expect you know them."

"No, I don't know them," said Ashe.

Lord Grosville's face expressed surprise. "Well, this finished it," he
said.

"Poor child!" said Ashe, slowly, putting down his cigarette and turning
a thoughtful look on the carpet.

"Alice?" said Lord Grosville.