"Beg your pardon.

It's only a joke.

No offence, I hope ?" His servility was less endurable than his insolence.

Telling him that he need say no more, Mountjoy bowed to Mrs.Vimpany, and left the room.
She returned his bow mechanically, in silence.

Mr.Vimpany followed Hugh out--thinking of the diamond pin, and eager to open the house door, as another act of submission which might satisfy his wife.
Even a clever woman will occasionally make mistakes; especially when her temper happens to have been roused.