A. I did.
Q. And what was his explanation?
A. He made a frank confession of his quarrel with Mr. Cleghorn, described how his first intention on rushing from the house had really been to find the girl and throw himself upon her mercy; but how, once in the open air, his frenzy had begun to cool, and to yield itself presently to indecision. He had then, he said, gone for a long walk over the downs, fighting all the way the demon of rage and jealousy which possessed him, and had finally, getting the better of his black unreasoning mood, grown thoroughly repentant and ashamed of his behaviour, and had returned to make amends.
Q. And you credited that wonderful story?
A. I believed it implicitly.
Q. Well, indeed, sir! Did he appear overcome by the news which had greeted him on his return?
A. He appeared stupefied—that is the word.
Q. Did he comment on it at all?
A. If you mean in the self-incriminating sense, he did not.
Q. In what sense, then?