"We may presume that he was."
The earl's conduct would certainly have seemed singular to an ordinary by-stander. The lady before him was waiting for recognition as his daughter-in-law, but neglecting that as a matter of no consequence, he was interesting himself in events that had happened more than twenty years before. Lorelie found her suspicion returning.
"Do you know what ultimately became of this Marville—I mean of your father, or rather of both of them?"
"They went yachting together in '76, and their vessel went down in Ormsby Race."
"So near our own doors? Strange! Then this Marville was drowned?"
"I have reason to believe that he was not."
"Ay! and what is your reason?"
"My lord, do you ask that?" she answered with significant intonation.
"I don't understand you."