Not many minutes later, Sophy, reading in the Yellow Parlour, was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Rivenhall, who came in and closed the door behind him, saying bluntly, “I seem to be very much in your debt, Cousin. Yes, Hubert has told me the whole. I hardly know what I can say to you.”
“You are not at all in my debt,” replied Sophy. “You have given me back my earrings! There is nothing to be said, in fact! Do you know that Miss Wraxton is in the drawing room with your mother? Lord Bromford, too, which is why I have sought refuge here.”
“There is a great deal to be said,” he replied, disregarding. “I wish to God you had told me!”
“I am persuaded you could not seriously expect me to betray Hubert’s confidence to you. You must not think, however, that I encouraged him to keep you in the dark. I advised him most earnestly to tell you the fix he was in, but he seemed to be in such dread of doing so that I might not persist.” She saw a slightly rigid look on his face, and added, “I believe it is often so, between brothers, where there is a considerable disparity of age. And you are very formidable, upon occasion, are you not?”
“It seems so, indeed. Don’t imagine I am not grateful to you, Sophy! I don’t know by what means you discovered the coil he had tangled himself in — ”
“Oh, it was not so difficult! The poor boy has been looking quite hagridden ever since I came to London! After his return from Newmarket, it was plain to be seen that something of a disastrous nature must have befallen him. He did not wish to confide in me, but a threat to tell you of my suspicions brought the whole, stupid story out.”
He looked at her, his eyes hard and bright. “I know well it is I who should have noticed there was something preying on Hubert’s mind!”
He was evidently deeply mortified; she said, “You have many other things to think about, perhaps. Men do not notice as quickly as women do. I am very glad that he has told you all. Don’t refine too much upon it. I am quite sure that he has had a lesson he will be on no danger of forgetting.”
“I believe you are right. I was used to think him as volatile as — well, I was used to think him volatile, but he has given me reason to indulge the hope that I was mistaken! But, Sophy, I don’t yet know the whole of this deplorable business! Whom did you employ in it?”
“No one, upon my honor!” she assured him at once. “I considered the matter from every aspect, and although I was much inclined, at first, to consult my father’s lawyer, I soon saw that it would not do. There was no one I could apply to without divulging Hubert’s part in the business. So I set about it myself!”