For the bookish and socially reclusive Miss Finch to have seduced the flamboyant and flirtatious Reuben Crouch was a bit of a stretch, but it was clear to Ophelia at this point that November had been traumatized by events as they had unfolded and was going to believe whatever she must in order to cope with things. "Well," she said gently, "If that is the case, it will come to light soon enough. But perhaps there's another explanation," she allowed graciously, although what possible other explanation for this turn of events there might be was quite eluding her. She'd brought this whole thing up so that November could fill her in on the details that weren't already being whispered around parlors, not so that she could console her friend — and now that it had become clear Nova had no details whatsoever, she would be quite content to move the conversation along.

"Let's have more tea," she said, reaching for the bell cord to bring in a servant.