"Poor Harding!" thought Malling, with an unusual softness. "But this letter comes too late."
What answer should he return to the rector? He hated insincerity, but on this occasion he stooped to it. He had not only the fear of Stepton upon him; he had also the desire not to add to the deep misery of Marcus Harding. This was his answer:
Cadogan Square, June —.
Dear Mr. Harding:
In reply to your letter, I will not now repeat our conversation of the other evening to Professor Stepton. He is, as you say, a man of the highest discretion, and should you feel inclined yourself to take him into your confidence at any time, I think you will not regret it.
Yours sincerely,
Evelyn Malling.
As he put this note into an envelope, Malling said to himself:
"Some day I'll let him know I deceived him; I'll let him know I had already told the professor."
Two or three days later Malling heard of the professor having been at a party in Piccadilly at which Lady Sophia was a guest.