Page:Watts Mumford--Whitewash.djvu/158

 He appeared to hesitate, and the conversation ceased as the servant served the soup.

"My dear girl," he resumed, after a moment, "I must, to protect myself and your good opinion of me, do a thing that is considered, and rightly considered, dastardly among men. I must speak ill of a woman to whom I am indebted, more than indebted."

Philippa turned scarlet, her heart beat heavily. Here, indeed, was a dramatic situation.

"She is, I know, from your manner toward her, your very dear friend," he went on, "and you must not only forgive me for what I have to say, but both for my sake and hers, promise me the most rigid secrecy, the most absolute silence—"

"I swear!" said Philippa, her cheeks crimsoning with excitement.

"—even to her. She must not know that I have told you. But I know what a woman's jealousy can be and is. I know that Victoria would do all in her power to harm me. She is vindictive beyond belief, and all her intelligence, her strength and will go into her plans. I do not 148