This she deemed already answered.
"If the younger brother had pressed his suit for your hand, do you think that under the circumstances your uncle would have sanctioned such rivalry?"
This, perhaps, she could not answer. At all events she was as silent as before.
"Miss Meredith," proceeded her tormentor, utterly oblivious or entirely careless of the suffering he caused her, "do you know whether your uncle and his youngest son ever had any words on this subject?"
Her hands involuntarily flew out in piteous entreaty.
"Ask this question of the only person who can answer it," she cried. "I only know that I have been treated with great respect in the house of my uncle."
With that, the proceedings closed for the day.