"Told him; what, of her? Oh no. I have told him that that,—that idea of mine has been abandoned." From this time forth Sir Peregrine could never endure to speak of his proposed marriage, nor to hear it spoken of. "He conceives that this has been done at her instance," he continued.
"And so it has," said Mrs. Orme, with much more of decision in her voice than was customary with her.
"And so it has," he repeated after her.
"Nobody must know of this,"—said she very solemnly, standing up and looking into his face with eager eyes. "Nobody but you and I."
"All the world, I fear, will know it soon," said Sir Peregrine.
"No; no. Why should all the world know it? Had she not told us we should not have known it. We should not have suspected it. Mr. Furnival, who understands these things;—he does not think her guilty."
"But, Edith—the property!"
"Let her give that up—after a while; when all this has passed by. That man is not in want. It will not hurt him to be without it a little longer. It will be enough for her to do that when this trial shall be over."
"But it is not hers. She cannot give it up. It belongs to her son,—or is thought to belong to him. It is not for us to be informers, Edith—"
"No, no; it is not for us to be informers. We must remember that."