And Bee had her reward; for Aubrey was there, waiting at a distance till the matter was settled. “I should have risked everything and come, even if the penalty had been a quarrel with Charlie,” Aubrey said, “but I must not quarrel with anyone if I can help it. We shall have hard work enough without that.”
“You have seen papa?”
“Yes, I have seen him: but I have not done myself much good, I fear,” said Aubrey, shaking his head. “Bee, you won’t give me up whatever they may say?”
“Give you up? Never, Aubrey, till you give me up!”
“Then all is safe, my darling. However things look now they can’t hold out for ever. Lies must be found out, and then—in time—you will be able to act for yourself.”
“Do you think papa will stand to it like that, Aubrey?”
Aubrey shook his head. He did not make any reply.
“Tell me. Is it a lie?” she said.
He bent down his head upon her hand, kissing it.
“Not all,” he said, in an almost inaudible voice. “ I said that—at Cologne——”