“ ’Twas on the subject of gentlemen that we⁠—”

“Quarrelled,” supplied her aunt.

“Disagreed,” amended his lordship.

“Disagreed,” nodded Diana. “I asked him whether Mr. Everard was not some grand gentleman, and he evaded the point.”

“I vow ’tis slander!” cried Jack. “I merely said that Everard was no gentleman at all.”

“There! And was not that evading the point, Sir Miles?”

“Was it? Sure, I’m inclined to agree with him.”

“I declare you are both in league against me!” she cried, with greater truth than she knew. “I mean, was he perhaps a titled gentleman?”