"You are sure of what you say? There is no possible mistake?"
Frau von Arnim's brows contracted proudly. For a brief moment she had sympathised with, and even pitied, his agitation. His rigid self-control, entailing as it did an increased abruptness of manner, impressed her disagreeably, hiding from her usually keen eyes the fact that the man was really suffering. She answered therefore, with considerable haughtiness:
"There is no possible mistake. You will see that for yourself when I tell you that Herr von Arnim is my nephew, and that I myself was at the wedding at Delford."
Arnold bowed. His expression was now normal, and it suggested no more than the calm interest of an ordinary caller on an ordinary topic of conversation.
"You are perfectly right," he said. "There is no possible mistake. I am very grateful to you for your explanation."
He included Hildegarde in his curt salute, and turned towards the door.
Frau von Arnim detained him with a decided and indignant gesture.
"The matter cannot end there," she said. "You have suggested that Miss Ingestre was engaged to you at the time of her betrothal with my nephew. It is a suggestion intensely offensive to us all. It is now my turn to point out to you that you are making a mistake—or worse."
Arnold coloured with anger.
"I am not likely to make a mistake of such magnitude," he said. "Of your second insinuation I need take no notice."