Colonel Denbigh held up his hand.
“Sit down, please,” he said, “and listen.” He sat down himself, glancing from one to the other, and finally fixing his eyes on William’s downcast face. “I hate to butt into other people’s affairs,” he said simply. “Mr. Carter, I think you know I’m not a meddler?”
Mr. Carter nodded grimly. He, too, was looking at William.
“We all respect and love you, colonel,” cried Mrs. Carter tremulously; “but—you know William’s had a terrible time.”
“I know it, madam. Far be it from me to belittle it. But the other day Virginia found Fanchon out at Quantah’s. Do you know the place?” He glanced again at Mr. Carter. “It’s wretched. William’s wife was there, ill and penniless. My granddaughter went in to see her, and while she was there Fanchon went out of her head and fainted in Jinny’s arms. I think you all know Jinny. She paid the poor girl’s bills—”
“I offered her money, I’ve tried to send her money,” William broke in hoarsely. “I didn’t know where she was.”
The colonel nodded.
“I understand that. She told Jinny she wouldn’t take your money. She told her story—in a way—to Jinny. She admitted that she loved you still, that she had always loved you. You were the only good man who had ever loved her, she said. Then she fainted. Jinny sent for Dr. Barbour. It happened that your brother Dan was over there. He came back with Lucas. I was out, and he and Jinny brought Fanchon to our house. He had been looking for Fanchon. He had guessed that she hadn’t any money, and he wanted to pay Jinny back for the expenses. He’s shared our watch over Fanchon, but”—the colonel smiled—“he wouldn’t interfere. That’s what he said. So Jinny sent me. Fanchon has been out of her head, and all night, sometimes all day, she’s calling you, William. Her pride, her poor little hurt pride, took her away, but now she calls and calls.”
The colonel rose quietly and took up his hat. “I think that’s all. I came to tell you. She’s suffered, and she saved Leigh; but if you feel you can’t forgive her—”
Mrs. Carter was crying.