He went on, without answering her question—
“And that you have protested, and protested apparently in vain, against his suggestions, or orders.”
Then she understood, and did not pretend to misunderstand or deny any longer—
“You have been eavesdropping,” she said contemptuously.
“I would not scruple to do anything that would lead to a better understanding of the marvel that makes a well-bred, honorable woman do things which she is ashamed of, and that she does not dare to mention to her family and friends,” retorted Gerard boldly.
She stared at him, with her lips parted, her eyes very wide open, her breast heaving. Both were in terrible earnest.
“You talk nonsense,” she said at last sharply. “All your listening and spying only result in your learning half the truth; and if you were wise, not to say chivalrous, you would take it for granted that you were mistaken in your evil thoughts of me, and that there is just something to be learned which I do not choose to tell you, and which you have no possible right to know.”
He looked at her steadily.
“I wish I could believe you,” he said. “I wish to Heaven I could. But it’s impossible to credit that you, a young girl, should have secrets from all your friends and relations in which there is no harm.”
She faltered and her eyes fell under his gaze.