"Then you have been making love to her on the sly!" vociferated Mr. Gillespie, totally forgetting himself.
But this the young man denied. If he understood her better than others did, it was because he loved her better. He was positive that she did not care for his brother, and all but certain she did care for himself. At all events he flattered himself to this extent. This called forth a few more bitter words from his father, and Alfred went out, banging the door behind him.
"And did you see any change in the manner of Mr. Gillespie towards his sons after this misunderstanding with Alfred?"
The witness appeared to weigh her words; but, when she answered, it was evident her care arose from a desire to present the subject fairly.
"I thought Mr. Gillespie talked less and looked about him more. And the young gentlemen seemed conscious of this change in him, for they were very careful not to show their feelings too plainly in his presence."
"Yet there was a manifested distrust between them?"
"I fear so."
"Amounting to animosity?"
"That I cannot say. I never heard them exchange hard words; only neither of them would leave the field open to the other. If Mr. George stayed home, Mr. Alfred found some excuse for doing so also; and if Mr. Alfred showed a disposition to linger in the parlour, Mr. George brought in his friends and made a social evening of it."
"And is this all you can tell us?"