That is one of the little favours, madam, that you owe
your husband.'
Seraphina sat for some while in silence. She could bear to be
misjudged without a pang by those whom she contemned; she had none
of Otto's eagerness to be approved, but went her own way straight
and head in air. To Sir John, however, after what he had said, and
as her husband's friend, she was prepared to stoop.
'What do you think of me?' she asked abruptly.
'I have told you already,' said Sir John: 'I think you want another
glass of my good wine.'
'Come,' she said, 'this is unlike you. You are not wont to be
afraid. You say that you admire my husband: in his name, be
honest.'
'I admire your courage,' said the Baronet. 'Beyond that, as you
have guessed, and indeed said, our natures are not sympathetic.'
'You spoke of scandal,' pursued Seraphina. 'Was the scandal great?'
'It was considerable,' said Sir John.
'And you believed it?' she demanded.
'O, madam,' said Sir John, 'the question!'
'Thank you for that answer!' cried Seraphina. 'And now here, I will
tell you, upon my honour, upon my soul, in spite of all the scandal
in this world, I am as true a wife as ever stood.'
'We should probably not agree upon a definition,' observed Sir John.
'O!' she cried, 'I have abominably used him - I know that; it is not
that I mean. But if you admire my husband, I insist that you shall
understand me: I can look him in the face without a blush.
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