“Suppose my conscience should not allow me to keep to myself any longer what that upstart girl told me of the Secretary’s having made a declaration to her. Suppose my conscience should oblige me to repeat it to Mr. Boffin.”

“I rather like that,” said Lammle.

“Suppose I so repeated it to Mr. Boffin, as to insinuate that my sensitive delicacy and honour⁠—”

“Very good words, Sophronia.”