Philip paled.
Had the Colonel discovered the secret marriage? and did he think Philip had been a party to it? It was quite possible. The wonder was that it had not all come out before, considering that it was duly registered in St. Clement’s Church.
“Your face tells me that I am right,” went on the Colonel.
Philip was silent. He wanted to find out how much the Colonel knew.
“It is absolutely disgraceful!” thundered the soldier, “and unworthy of a gentleman, this conduct of yours.”
Philip was now furious. He cursed the folly of women, and of Phyllis in particular, but he was not going to give her away.
“These secret meetings at the bungalow—would any man of honor so lower himself as to permit them?” demanded the Colonel.
“I will not tolerate such language even from you!” broke out Philip. “I have done nothing dishonorable!”
“You will listen to just what I choose to say,” rejoined the Colonel. “I will put a stop to all this once and for all. You should not marry my daughter if there were not another man in the world—understand that!”
“And why not?” asked Philip, who now saw daylight. “If I wanted to—why not? What have you against me?”