“De la Poer has some knowledge of child nature,” said the Colonel, slightly smiling.
“A gentleman often encourages that sort of child, but condemns her the more. She will be a by-word in that family! I always knew she would be our disgrace!”
“O Giles, do tell Barbara it cannot be so very bad!” entreated Lady Jane. “She is such a child—poor little dear!—and so little used to control!”
“I have only as yet heard her own confused account.”
Lady Barbara gave her own.
“I see,” said the Colonel, “the child was both accurate and candid. You should be thankful that your system has not destroyed her sincerity.”
“But, indeed, dear Giles,” pleaded Lady Jane, “you know Barbara did not want her to say what was false.”
“No,” said the Colonel: “that was a mere misunderstanding. It is the spirit of distrust that—assuming that a child will act dishonourably—is likely to drive her to do so.”
“I never distrusted Katharine till she drove me to do so,” said Lady Barbara, with cold, stern composure.
“I would never bring an accusation of breach of trust where I had not made it evident that I reposed confidence,” said the Colonel.