The name had escaped him unawares.
'Reardon ?' said Marian, looking up.

'You are speaking of him ?' 'I have betrayed myself Miss Yule.' 'But what does it matter?
You have only spoken in his favour.' 'I feared the name might affect you disagreeably.' Marian delayed her reply.
'It is true,' she said, 'we are not on friendly terms with my cousin's family.

I have never met Mr Reardon.

But I shouldn't like you to think that the mention of his name is disagreeable to me.' 'It made me slightly uncomfortable yesterday--the fact that I am well acquainted with Mrs Edmund Yule, and that Reardon is my friend.

Yet I didn't see why that should prevent my making your father's acquaintance.' 'Surely not.