The Colonel smiled grimly at this unconscious exhibition of the relative state of her affections.
“What has happened to him?” asked Ida, this time with a suitable expression of concern.
“He has been accidentally shot.”
“Who by?”
“Mrs. Quest.”
“Then she did it on purpose—I mean—is he dead?”
“No, but I believe that he will die.”
They looked at one another, and each read in the eyes of the other the thought which passed through their brains. If Edward Cossey died they would be free to marry. So clearly did they read it that Ida actually interpreted it in words.
“You must not think that,” she said, “it is very wrong.”
“It is wrong,” answered the Colonel, apparently in no way surprised at her interpretation of his thoughts, “but unfortunately human nature is human nature.”