Here, at all events,
was a creature she could manage--an instrument--though to what
purpose she was not yet perfectly clear.
"Mr. Northway, I have been listening to a sad, sad story."
"Yes, it is sad," he muttered, feeling his inferiority to this
soft-spoken woman, and moving his legs awkwardly.
"I must mention to you that my name is Mrs. Wade. I have known
Lilian since she came to live at Polterham--only since then.
That's a very short time ago, but we have seen a good deal of each
other, and have become intimate friends. I need not tell you that I
never had the faintest suspicion of what I have just learnt."
This was said certainly not in a voice of indignation but with a
sadness which implied anything but approval. Northway, after trying
to hold his hat in a becoming way, placed it on the floor, clicking
with his tongue the while and betraying much nervousness.
"You are of course aware," pursued the lady, "that Mr. Denzil
Quarrier is Liberal candidate for this borough?"
"Yes, I know."
"Until to-day, he had every prospect of being elected. It is a
shocking thing--I hardly know how to express myself about it."
"If this gets known," said Northway, "I suppose he has no chance?"
"How would it be possible to vote for a man who has outraged the law
on which all social life is based? He would retire immediately--no
doubt.
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