"Circumstances! what circumstances?"

"Oh, you know. You are in his confidence, I presume?"--this rather
satirically. So the lady answered, defiantly:

"Yes, I am; he knows I can hold my tongue, so he tells me things he
tells nobody else."

"Then, if you are in his confidence, you know he is about to be
married."

"Married! Sir Charles married!"

"In three weeks."

"It's a lie! You get out of my house this moment!"

Mr. Bassett colored at this insult. He rose from his seat with some
little dignity, made her a low bow, and retired. But her blood was up:
she made a wonderful rush, sweeping down a chair with her dress as she
went, and caught him at the door, clutched him by the shoulder and half
dragged him back, and made him sit down again, while she stood opposite
him, with the knuckles of one hand resting on the table.

"Now," said she, panting, "you look me in the face and say that again."

"Excuse me; you punish me too severely for telling the truth."

"Well, I beg your pardon--there. Now tell me--this instant. Can't you