“Pardon me. I do not habitually imply what is not the case. I beg you to believe that I do not know.”
“Not know! What moles men are! Poor Marian!”
“Oblige me by taking this seat,” said Douglas, sternly, pointing to one just vacated. “I shall not detain you many minutes,” he added, sitting down beside her. “May I understand that Miss Lind is the lady of whom you spoke just now?”
“Yes. Remember that I am speaking to you as a friend, and that I trust to you not to mention the effort I am making to clear up the misunderstanding which causes her so much unhappiness.”
“Are you then in Miss Lind’s confidence? Did she ask you to tell me this?”
“What do you mean, Mr. Douglas?”
“I am quite innocent of any desire to shock or offend you, Mrs. Leith Fairfax. Does your question imply a negative?”
“Most certainly. Marian ask me to tell! you must be dreaming. Do you think, even if Marian were capable of making an advance, that I would consent to act as a go-between? Really, Mr. Douglas!”
“I confess I do not understand these matters; and you must bear with my ineptitude. If Miss Lind entertains any sentiment for me but one of mistrust and aversion, her behavior is singularly misleading.”
“Mistrust! Aversion! I tell you she is in love with you.”