The one bright spot in the affair was that Lord Loudwater appeared to have left no friends behind him who would make it their business to see that he was avenged.

As long as that avenging was everybody's business it was nobody's business.
Elizabeth Twitcher was no less disturbed than Mr.Flexen.She felt that Olivia ought to be informed of what was being said that she might be able to take steps to meet the danger.

She took counsel with James Hutchings, who could not help feeling relieved by this diversion of suspicion, and he agreed with her that Olivia should be informed of the scandal at once.
But it was an uncommonly unpleasant task, and she shrank from it.
Then a happy thought came to James Hutchings, and he said: "Look here: let Mr.Manley do it.

He's her ladyship's secretary, and it's the kind of thing he'll do very well.

He's a tactful young fellow." "It would be a blessing if he did," said Elizabeth with a sigh.
She paused and added: "You do speak differently about him to what you used to." "Yes.