“Yes! and a good many more things besides. As you have happened to come in whilst we are on the question, I had better make a clean breast of it. Perhaps you have heard that Miss Leyton has been to the Red House and had an interview with Miss Brandt!”
“Yes! I’ve just come from Richmond, where we’ve had a jolly row over it,” grumbled Ralph, pulling his moustaches.
“Your family all felt that sort of thing could not go on—that it must end one way or the other—and therefore I went to the Red House, ostensibly to view Madame Gobelli’s collection of china, but in reality to ascertain what view of the matter she and Miss Brandt took—and to undeceive them as to your being in a position to pursue your intimacy with the young lady any further.”
“And what the devil business have you to meddle in my private affairs?” demanded Captain Pullen rousing himself.
“Because, unfortunately, your mother happened to be my father’s sister,” replied Pennell sternly, “and the scrapes you get in harm me more than they do yourself! One officer more or less, who gets into a scrape with women, goes pretty well unnoticed, but I have attained a position in which I cannot afford to have my relations’ names bandied about as having behaved in a manner unbecoming gentlemen.”
“Who dares to say that of me?” cried Ralph angrily.
“Everybody who knows of the attention you paid Miss Brandt in Heyst,” replied Anthony Pennell, boldly, “and without telling her that you were already engaged to be married. I do not wonder at Miss Leyton being angry about it! I only wonder she consents to have any more to do with you in the circumstances.”
“O! we’ve settled all that!” said Ralph, testily, “we had the whole matter out at Richmond this afternoon, and I’ve promised to be a good boy for the future, and never speak to a pretty woman again! You need not wonder any more about Elinor! She is only glad enough to get me back at any price!”
“Yes? And what about Miss Brandt?” enquired Pennell.
“Is she worrying about this affair?” asked Captain Pullen, quickly.