‘You have not known this woman. I will take your word for it. Have you been also a stranger to this woman’s daughter?’
If James Gillan had been allowed a minute, a few moments, in which to make up his mind whether to lie or tell the truth, his skill in deception, always greater than his courage, might have risen to the occasion even then. Appalled as he was, overwhelmed by this unexpected accusation, he could not decide immediately what course would be best; and, having opened his mouth as if he were forming some reply, he let it drop helplessly, and remained without a word. Mr Lee went on speaking as if he had received an answer; perhaps he thought that the silence might be accounted a reply.
‘And since we’re in the midst of discussions, Nephy Gillan, what is this tale of a letter that we’ve heard?’ He spoke the words sternly, but they came as a relief. His nephew seized on the diversion eagerly.
‘Oh, that! .... I don’t know .... it may have been some mischief of my sister’s .... my sister is a wild girl and is sometimes fond of tricks .... I will answer for it, sir, that there is nothing serious in the matter as in this other accusation that has reference to myself .... In any case, my sister will be able to reply, if she were here now I have no doubt she would answer you.’
He had scarcely spoken when the door, which had been left partly open, was suddenly flung forwards as far as it would go; and Tina, who had been standing at the entrance with the housekeeper, appeared at the threshold, and swept into the room. Her rich black silk dress rustled after her as she advanced; she seemed to be beside herself with rage, or fear, or shame; she advanced at once on her brother and on Jenny, as if with her little hands she would seize them both. But Mr Lee interposed with the manner of the master of a house, and laying a hand on her arm, turned her round to him. His manner, his voice, were very quiet and stern, as those of one who is in no doubt what to say.
‘My niece,’ he said, ‘ye will go back to your room. I haven’t the time to speak to ye just now. My housekeeper, I see, has been listening at the door, and I’ve not the least doubt she’ll show the way to ye. You, sir, I will trouble ye to come with me to my study that I may confer with ye on these matters that we’ve heard. Madam, I must ask ye to wait here a few minutes, before very long I’ll come to ye again.’
With a hand on the arm of each, and a manner not to be disputed, he turned with his niece and nephew from the room—Jenny following them with her eyes, but remaining perfectly passive, standing there in her worn, black dress like some image of despair. Outside the door he released the arm of Tina, and paused to lock the door, and then to take out the key; and then, without paying any further attention to his niece, he turned to the young man, and addressed a few words to him.
‘I must ask you, sir, to come with me to my study, that I may confer with ye on these matters. I can’t make no decision that I can tell ye, till ye’ve said your say, and I’ve heard ye to the end!’