"I have found out," said Beatrice, in a slow voice, "just through an accident, although I believe God was at the bottom of it, something which has saved me from committing a great wrong, which has saved your son from becoming an absolute scoundrel, which has saved us both from a life of misery."
"What have you found out, Beatrice?"
Mrs. Bertram's face was perfectly white; her words came out in a low whisper.
"Beatrice, what have you discovered?"
"That Captain Bertram loves another, that another girl loves him, has almost been brought to death's door because she loves him so well."
"Pooh, child, is that all? How you frightened me."
"Why do you speak in that contemptuous tone. The 'all' means a great deal to Captain Bertram, and to me, and to the other girl."
"Beatrice, you are a baby. What young man of my son's age has not had his likings, his flirtations, his heart affairs? If that is all—"
"It is all, it is enough. Your son has not got over his heart affair."
"Has he not? I'll speak to him. I'll soon settle that"