‘Oh! Emily and Fred saw it as plain as I did. Why, it does not do credit to your discernment, Maurice; papa found it out long ago, and told me.’
‘Kendal did?’
‘Yes, that he did, and did not mind the notion at all; rather liked it, in fact.’
‘Well!’ said Mr. Ferrars, in a different tone, ‘it is a very queer business! I certainly did not think the lad showed any symptoms. He said he had heard gossip about it before, and had tried to be careful; his aunt talked to him once, but, as he said, it would be nothing but the rankest treason to think of such a thing, on the terms on which he is treated.’
‘Ay, that’s it!’ said Albinia; ‘he acts most perfectly.’
‘Perfectly indeed, if that were acting,’ said Mr. Ferrars.
‘And what made him speak to you?’ asked Winifred.
‘He wanted to consult me. He said it was very hard on him, for all the pleasure he had came from his intercourse with Willow Lawn; and he could not bear to keep at a distance, because it looked as if he had not forgotten the old folly about the caricature; but he was afraid of the report coming to your ears or Mr. Kendal’s, because you would think it so wrong and shameful an abuse of your kindness.’
‘And that’s his whole concern?’
‘So he told me.’