She went the length--the very unladylike length--of taking him by the hand.
"I am certain," she said, "that I have found out the true reason of your unwillingness to speak of this matter before my mother and before me.
An unlucky accident has associated you in people's minds with Mr.Luker.
You have told me what scandal says of HIM.

What does scandal say of you ?" Even at the eleventh hour, dear Mr.Godfrey--always ready to return good for evil--tried to spare her.
"Don't ask me!" he said.

"It's better forgotten, Rachel--it is, indeed." "I WILL hear it!" she cried out, fiercely, at the top of her voice.
"Tell her, Godfrey!" entreated my aunt.

"Nothing can do her such harm as your silence is doing now!" Mr.Godfrey's fine eyes filled with tears.

He cast one last appealing look at her--and then he spoke the fatal words: "If you will have it, Rachel--scandal says that the Moonstone is in pledge to Mr.Luker, and that I am the man who has pawned it." She started to her feet with a scream.