'You are quite positive?'

'Quite positive. I was, by accident, the first that Mrs. Menlove named
the matter to, and I told her it might be much to her advantage if she
took particular care it should go no further.'

'Mrs. Menlove! Who's she?'

'The lady's-maid at Mrs. Doncastle's, my lord.'

'O, ah--of course. You may leave me now, Tipman.' Lord Mountclere
remained in thought for a moment. 'A clever little puss, to hoodwink us
all like this--hee-hee!' he murmured. 'Her education--how finished; and
her beauty--so seldom that I meet with such a woman. Cut down my elms to
please a butler's daughter--what a joke--certainly a good joke! To
interest me in her on the right side instead of the wrong was strange.
But it can be made to change sides--hee-hee!--it can be made to change
sides! Tipman!'

Tipman came forward from the doorway.

'Will you take care that that piece of gossip you mentioned to me is not
repeated in this house? I strongly disapprove of talebearing of any
sort, and wish to hear no more of this. Such stories are never true.
Answer me--do you hear? Such stories are never true.'

'I beg pardon, but I think your lordship will find this one true,' said
the valet quietly.