And this secret, of which the Dunkeld family knew nothing, may explain the curious and laughing manner of Dr. Wodrow when speaking of Mr. Luke Sharpe the lawyer, and announcing to Mary the existence and intentions of the heir of entail.
'Poor Mary—poor darling!' said Colville, in a low voice. 'Why did I play with her feelings and my own so long! Fool that I was not to declare my love and propose to her on the spot?'
'Ay, fool indeed!' commented Dr. Wodrow, roughly. 'Think of all this worry, mischief, pain, and separation!'
'In studying her character I shall have deceived her as to my own.'
'She always seemed to think you were engaged to Miss Galloway.'
'I know that now. Why did you not undeceive her?'
'I had not your permission to move or explain in the matter.'
'And we have parted like strangers almost! What must Mary have thought of me—what can she think of me still?'
'That you were only amusing yourself with her.'
'Hence the strangeness and coolness of her manner towards me at times. Oh, Dr. Wodrow, I never knew how much I loved that girl till now!' exclaimed Colville, as he now realised fully in that time of pain and surprise that Mary Wellwood was the one woman in all the world for him.