‘Oh, I do not know exactly.’
‘Your grandfather has been dead now, you know, much more than a year. I cannot help thinking your conduct singular. There is nothing wrong between you and Katherine, is there?’
‘Wrong, sir?’
‘Yes, wrong? I mean, is there any misunderstanding? Have you quarrelled?’
‘No, sir, we have not quarrelled; we perfectly understand each other.’
‘I am glad to hear it, for I must say I think your conduct is very unlike that of a lover. All I can say is, I did not win your mother’s heart by such proceedings.’
‘Katherine has made no complaint of me, sir?’
‘Certainly not, and that surprises me still more.’
Ferdinand seemed plunged in thought. The silence lasted some minutes. Sir Ratcliffe took up the newspaper; his son leant over the mantel-piece, and gazed upon the empty fire-place. At length he turned round and said, ‘Father, I can bear this no longer; the engagement between Katherine and myself is dissolved.’