It was only as the hour neared for Dr. Grey's coming in that she
nerved herself to her mission. She had an uneasy sense that it would be
carried out better in his absence than in his presence.
Without glancing often at Christian, who sat so peaceful, looking out
into the fading twilight, she launched her thunderbolt at once.
"We had a visit today from Sir Edwin Uniacke."
"So I supposed, since I and the children met him on the way to
Avonside."
In this world, so full of shams, bow utterly bewildering sometimes is
the direct innocent truth! At this answer of Christian's Miss Gascoigne
looked more amazed than if she had been told a dozen lies.
"Was that the reason you turned back and went home?"
"Partly; I really had forgotten something which Dr. Grey wanted, but I
also wished to avoid meeting your visitor."
"Why so?"
"Surely you must guess. How can I voluntarily meet any one who is
not a friend of my husband's?"
"Not though he may have been a friend of your own? For, as I
understand, you once had a very close acquaintance with Sir Edwin
Uniacke."
The thrust was so unexpected, unmistakable in its meaning, that
Christian, in her startled surprise, said the very worst thing she could
have said to the malicious ears which were held open to every thing and
eager to misconstrue every thing, "Who told you that?"
"Told me! Why all Avonsbridge is talking about it, and about you.
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