The words were spoken hurriedly and with a ring almost of hostility.  At the same time the girl’s cheeks flushed.  She felt herself hard beset.  A network was being woven about her by hands she could not deem other than loving; it was time to exert herself that the meshes might not be completed, and the necessity cost her a feeling of shame.

’But your brother’s friend, my dear.  Surely you ought not to say that you have no interest in him at all.’

’I do say it, mother, and I wish to say it so plainly that you cannot after this mistake me.  Alfred’s friends are very far from being necessarily my friends.  Not only have I no interest in Mr. Mutimer, I even a little dislike him.’

‘I had no idea of that, Adela,’ said her mother, rather blankly.

’But it is the truth, and I feel I ought to have tried to make you understand that sooner.  I thought you would see that I had no pleasure in speaking of him.’

’But how is it possible to dislike him?  I confess that is very hard for me to understand.  I am sure his behaviour to you is perfect—­so entirely respectful, so gentlemanly.’

’No, mother, that is not quite the word to use.  You are mistaken; Mr. Mutimer is not a perfect gentleman.’

It was said with much decision, for to Adela’s mind this clenched her argument.  Granted the absence of certain qualities which she held essential in a gentleman, there seemed to her no reason for another word on the subject.

‘Pray, when has he misbehaved himself?’ inquired her mother, with a touch of pique.

’I cannot go into details.  Mr. Mutimer has no doubt many excellent qualities; no doubt he is really an earnest and a well-meaning man.  But if I am asked to say more than that, it must be the truth—­as it seems to me.  Please, mother dear, don’t ask me to talk about him in future.  And there is something else I wish to say.  I do hope you won’t be offended with me, but indeed I—­I hope you will not ask me to go to the Manor again.  I feel I ought not to go.  It is painful; I suffer when I am there.’

’How strange you are to-day, Adela!  Really, I think you might allow me to decide what is proper and what is not.  My experience is surely the best judge.  You are worse than unkind, Adela; it’s rude to speak to me like that.’

‘Dear mother,’ said the girl, with infinite gentleness, ’I am very, very sorry.  How could I be unkind or rude. to you?  I didn’t for a moment mean that my judgment was better than yours; it is my feelings that I speak of.  You won’t ask me to explain—­to say more than that?  You must understand me?’

‘Oh yes, my dear, I understand you too well,’ was the stiff reply.  ’Of course I am old-fashioned, and I suppose old-fashioned people are a little coarse; their feelings are not quite as fine as they might be.  We will say no more for the present, Adela.  I will do my best not to lead you into disagreeable situations through my lack of delicacy.’