Morna's fine eyes were filled with tears; the sight of them put out the flame that had leapt for once from stolid Hugh, and he took her hand in his own great soothing grasp.
"Come and sit down," he said, "and tell me all about it. Have I ever taken anybody's part against you, Morna, that you should think me likely to begin now?"
"No; but you would if you thought they were right and I was wrong."
Hugh reflected until they reached the garden-seat upon the lawn.
"Well, not openly, at all events," said he; "and not under any circumstances I can conceive in which Mrs. Venables was the other person."
"But she isn't the only other person; that is just it. Oh, Hugh, you do like Rachel, don't you?"
"I do," he said emphatically. "But surely you haven't been quarrelling with her?"
"No, indeed! And that is exactly why I have quarrelled with Mrs. Venables, because I wouldn't refuse to go to the dinner-party at Normanthorpe to-night!"
Woodgate was naturally nonplussed.
"Wouldn't refuse?" he echoed.