Page:The Breath of Scandal (1922).djvu/117

 gathered the facts which they publish. My dear young lady, in most cases they have been known even to the newspaper men for months or years; but the newspapers were helpless to handle them until court action started by somebody makes proper and publishable known facts which, before some one complained in court, would have been libel. Of course the publication in no way alters the man's character—merely his reputation; and it does not alter even his reputation with the people nearest him, who had known about it before. But now they discover they must cast him out, because every one else knows too. It is not, you see, the unforgivable sin which destroys him but the no-longer-concealable scandal. If it were the former, there would not be many—pardon me; you will say I am cynical instead of merely experienced. But now we may, perhaps, proceed to a more business-like estimate of our immediate needs than might have been possible a few minutes ago."

He arose, and crossing to a table upon which stood a silver carafe with a couple of goblets, he poured two glasses of water and returned with them on a small silver tray.

Marjorie gazed at them as though not recognizing what they were for; they were beautiful, extravagant goblets with silver applied on the glass; but the expensiveness did not impress her now and did not remind her of the probable extortion of Rinderfeld's fees. In her sickening fright, she could feel only dependence upon this man, so assured and expert in her troubles. He spoke to her twice, urging her to drink, before she was able to refuse, whereupon he drained one glass and, resuming his seat, placed the other goblet on the desk near him.