"Did you tell her?"
"Yes. I went again to Killancodlem after you were gone, and then I told her."
"But why her? Come, Lord Silverbridge. You are straightforward with me, and I will be the same with you. You have told Lady Mabel; I have told Lady Mary."
"My sister!"
"Yes;—your sister. And I am sure she disapproves it. She did not say so; but I am sure it is so. And then she told me something."
"What did she tell you?"
"Has there never been reason to think that you intended to offer your hand to Lady Mabel Grex?"
"Did she tell you so?"
"You should answer my question, Lord Silverbridge. It is surely one which I have a right to ask." Then she stood waiting for his reply, keeping herself at some little distance from him as though she were afraid that he would fly upon her. And indeed there seemed to be cause for such fear from the frequent gestures of his hands. "Why do you not answer me? Has there been reason for such expectations?"
"Yes;—there has."