“You understood that Walter Brooklyn intended to carry the story to Sir Vernon?”
“Yes, and of course Sir Vernon would have been very angry. He has always wanted John to marry his ward, Miss Cowper.”
“What had Walter Brooklyn to gain by telling Sir Vernon?”
“I suppose he thought that Sir Vernon would soon make John give me up, and that between them they could fix up for John and Miss Cowper to marry. Or perhaps he relied on my telling John, and thought John would let him have the money to prevent him from going to Sir Vernon.”
“Yes, that seems the most probable explanation. And did you see Mr. Prinsep after your meeting with Walter Brooklyn?”
“Yes, for a few moments. He had seen Mr. Brooklyn, too, and was very angry. Mr. Brooklyn had used the same threat to him as he used to me.”
“And how had Mr. Prinsep taken it?”
“He had refused to give Mr. Brooklyn a penny, and said he would see Sir Vernon himself.”
“In order to tell him of your engagement?”
Again came the answer, painfully given, “I do not know.”