'And he believes that ?' 'I'm afraid so.' 'And you believe--believed it ?' 'Not for a moment.' 'I shall write a note to Mr Yule.' Marian was silent a while, then said: 'Wouldn't it be better if you found a way of letting Mr Jedwood know the truth ?' 'Perhaps you are right.' Jasper was very grateful for the suggestion.

In that moment he had reflected how rash it would be to write to Alfred Yule on such a subject, with whatever prudence in expressing himself.

Such a letter, coming under the notice of the great Fadge, might do its writer serious harm.
'Yes, you are right,' he repeated.

'I'll stop that rumour at its source.
I can't guess how it started; for aught I know, some enemy hath done this, though I don't quite discern the motive.

Thank you very much for telling me, and still more for refusing to believe that I could treat Mr Yule in that way, even as a matter of business.