"What else should I think?"
"A lamb thrown to the wolves," said Lady Grosville, grimly. "How that
woman
could do such a thing!"
"I saw nothing lamblike about Lady Kitty," said Ashe. "And do you
include me among the wolves?"
Lady Grosville hesitated a moment, then stuck to her colors.
"You shouldn't go to such a house," she said, boldly--"I suppose I may
say that without offence, William, as I've known you from a boy."
"Say anything you like, my dear Lady Grosville! So you--believe evil
things--of Madame d'Estrees?"
His tone was light, but his eyes sought the distant door, as though
invoking some fellow-guest to appear and protect him.
Lady Grosville did not answer. Ashe's look returned to her, and he was
startled by the expression of her face. He had always known and
unwillingly admired her for a fine Old Testament Christian, one from
whom the language of the imprecatory Psalms with regard to her enemies,
personal and political, might have flowed more naturally than from any
other person he knew, of the same class and breeding. But this
loathing--this passion of contempt--this heat of memory!--these were new
indeed, and the fire of them transfigured the old, gray face.
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