CHAPTER VIII.
So indeed it had. Doctor Unonius could not overlook a falsehood, and from that hour his thoughts never rested upon the widow Tresize as a desirable woman to wed.
But he had grave searchings of conscience on the part he had been made to play. Undoubtedly he had misled Mr Rattenbury, and—all question of public honesty apart—had perhaps injured that young officer's chances of promotion.
The thought of it disturbed his sleep for weeks. In the end he decided to make a clean breast to Mr Rattenbury, as between man and man; and encountering him one afternoon on the Lealand road, drew up old Dapple and made sign that he wished to speak.
It's about Mrs Tresize—' he began.
'You've heard, then?' said Mr Rattenbury.
'Heard what?'
'Why, that I'm going to marry her.'
'Oh!' said the doctor; and added after a pause, 'My dear sir, I wish you joy.'
'I don't feel that I deserve her,' said Mr Rattenbury, somewhat fatuously.