"I daresay she did. And so I suppose did Mabel Grex. I had thought that perhaps I might make Mabel a confidante, but—" Then she looked up into his face.
"But what?"
"You like Mabel, do you not? I do."
"I like her very, very much."
"Perhaps you have liked her too well for that, eh, Frank?"
"Too well for what?"
"That she should have heard all that I had to say about you with sympathy. If so, I am so sorry."
"You need not fear that I have ever for a moment been untrue either to her or you."
"I am sure you have not to me. Poor Mabel! Then they took me to Custins. That was worst of all. I cannot quite tell you what happened there." Of course he asked her,—but, as she had said, she could not quite tell him about Lord Popplecourt.
The next morning the Duke asked his guest in a playful tone what was his Christian name. It could hardly be that he should not have known, but yet he asked the question. "Francis Oliphant," said Tregear. "Those are two Christian names I suppose, but what do they call you at home?"