Chapter 28: By Concessions to Mistress Gossip a Further Intrusion Is Averted

⁠​​​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌⁠Livia welcomed him, with commiserating inquiry behind her languid eyelids. ‘You have all the latest?’ it said.

He struck on the burning matter.

‘You wish to know the part you have to play, ma’am.’ ‘Tell me, Russett.’

‘You will contradict nothing.’

Her eyebrows asked, ‘It means?’

⁠​​​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌⁠‘You have authority from me to admit the facts.’

‘They are facts?’ she remarked.

‘Women love teasing round certain facts, appar