'You knew that he had become acquainted with the Moxeys?'
Her tone was more reserved than hitherto.
'Yes, I knew he had. He met Miss Moxey by chance at Budleigh Salterton, and I happened to be there—at the Moorhouses'—on the same day.'
Sidwell glanced at him inquiringly, and waited for something more.
'I saw Miss Moxey in private,' he added, speaking more quickly, 'and asked her to keep my secret. I ought to be ashamed to tell you this, but it is better you should know how far my humiliation has gone.'
He saw that she was moved with strong feeling. The low tone in which she answered had peculiar significance.
'Did you speak of me to Miss Moxey?'
'I must forgive you for asking that,' Peak replied, coldly. 'It may well seem to you that I have neither honour nor delicacy left.'
There had come a flush on her cheeks. For some moments she was absorbed in thought.
'It seems strange to you,' he continued at length, 'that I could ask Miss Moxey to share such a secret. But you must understand on what terms we were—she and I. We have known each other for several years. She has a man's mind, and I have always thought of her in much the same way as of my male companions.—Your brother has told you about her, perhaps?'