“⁠—As to insinuate that our sensitive delicacy and honour,” she resumed, with a bitter stress upon the phrase, “would not allow us to be silent parties to so mercenary and designing a speculation on the Secretary’s part, and so gross a breach of faith towards his confiding employer. Suppose I had imparted my virtuous uneasiness to my excellent husband, and he had said, in his integrity, ‘Sophronia, you must immediately disclose this to Mr. Boffin.’ ”

“Once more, Sophronia,” observed Lammle, changing the leg on which he stood, “I rather like that.”

“You remark that he is well guarded,” she pursued. “I think so too. But if this should lead to his discharging his Secretary, there would be a weak place made.”

“Go on expounding, Sophronia. I begin to like this very much.”