'Then how did you know all about it?'
'I didn't know. I only saw—'
'Saw what?'
'That you were very much distressed.'
'And very kind and rational you were about it,' said Tom, warmly; 'I never thought any woman could have guessed so much, without making mischief. But you must not put any misconstruction on my present intention. All I mean to do as yet is to induce Henry to remove them out of that dismal swamp, and bring them home to comfort and civilization. Then it may be time to—'
He became silent; and Ethel longed ardently to ask further, but still she durst not, and he presently began again.
'Ethel, was I very intolerable that winter of the volunteers, when Harry was at home?'
'You are very much improved since,' she answered.
'That's just like Flora. Answer like yourself.'
'Well, you were! You were terribly rampant in Eton refinement, and very anxious to hinder all the others from making fools of themselves.'