"I am not willing that you should," retorted the Major.
"Ah! but the decision lies with me. Mrs. Crosbie----"
Rebb looked furious. "What has Mrs. Crosbie to do with this matter?"
"Has she not told you?"
"Told me what? I have heard nothing from Mrs. Crosbie."
Gerald privately apologized to himself for having doubted the little woman, but determined to have no further misunderstanding. He spoke out. "I saw Mrs. Crosbie when I was in London, and asked her to help me to marry Mavis."
"Not even for Mrs. Crosbie's sake can I consent to that. A marriage of that kind would be a sin. How dare you tell my private affairs to my future wife?" And Rebb again struck the table.
"Gently, Major, gently! I am not to be intimidated. I asked Mrs. Crosbie to help me, as she is my mother's old friend, and I have known her much longer than you have. She refused to help me."
"Ah!" cried Rebb, gratified. "I knew that she loved me."
"But she agreed to keep what I had told her a secret from you, for at least a month, on condition that I took no steps meanwhile to run away with Mavis. From what you say, I understand that she has kept her promise, and I have done her an injustice. I fancied, from your sudden departure to this place, that she had told you."