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 The words were wrung from her by sudden emotion. There was no doubting their sincerity.

Mrs. Durham was silent with surprise; but Philippa was eloquent with mortally wounded pride.

"You dare speak so! to my very face!" she cried, crimson with passion. "You—a notorious woman—yes, notorious! a woman who loses her character wilfully, and then attempts to blacken a man's reputation with the meanest, most despicable lies!" She choked with anger.

Mrs. Durham turned on her fiercely. "So you make this statement as a matter of personal knowledge, do you? Mr. Conway, you heard what Miss Ford has just said—not even referring to any informant, but making a statement pure and simple."

Philippa exploded again.

"And you!—you! Leave this house at once!"

Morton restrained her.

"Philippa, dear, don't! You forget yourself. Mrs. Durham, I hardly think Miss Ford can continue this painful interview."

"I won't be quiet! I won't be silenced! I 203