"I see nothing. He loves you—has forgiven mama, and is attentive to her merely to gain opportunities of seeing you."
Violet shook her head mournfully.
"Do not condemn him unheard, Violet. Watch him closely, then question him. You know not what explanation he may have. Oh! do not let there be more misunderstanding in our family."
Violet had turned away her head to conceal her tears, but the effort was in vain; her uncontrollable grief burst forth more violently from having been a while restrained.
She resolved to bring Marmaduke to an explanation that very evening, and the resolution calmed her.
It so happened that during the day Marmaduke had been more than usually irritated by Mrs. Vyner's manners. He had spoken to her eloquent words of love, and demanded a return; the more impassioned he became, the more she drew back behind her position as a married woman.
"You love me," he exclaimed, "I know you love me. You cannot deny it."
"Marmaduke, I have already told you this is language I must not, will not listen to."
"Answer me: can you deny it?"
"I shall answer nothing of the kind."