"I see," he replied.
An uncomfortable silence fell; the Colonel was looking abstractedly out of the window, one hand fiddling with the blindcord. Judith felt herself impelled to say presently: "There was nothing more, I assure you. Do not be imagining anything foolish!"
He turned and smiled at her. "My dear Judith, you are looking quite anxious! There is really not the least cause, I promise you. As for this affair of Perry's, I shall speak to Bab."
"Don't if you had rather not!" she said. "I daresay this all nonsense."
"The scandal, if there is one, had better be scotched. however."
But Barbara, when she heard of Harriet's suspicions. exclaimed indignantly: "Oh, that's a great deal too bad: Of all the injustices in this wicked world! I treated him as I treat Harry - I did really, Charles!"
"I don't doubt it," he said. "The truth is, I suspect. that you were much more enchanting than you knew. Is Perry in danger of losing his heart to you, do you think?"
"I think he might be made to lose it," she replied candidly. "But what a fool his wife must be!"
"I believe she is in a delicate situation just at present."
"Oh, poor creature! Very well, I will make everything right with her. Then she may be comfortable again."