I could bear the suspense no longer, and was about to rise and make my presence known, when the voices were raised, and I heard the clergyman exclaim—
“Ellen, for God’s sake! I can explain everything!”
Ellen! My satyr was familiar. I crouched in my armchair, listening, as my wife replied—
“Why should you explain to me? I have no wish to listen, Mr. Santley. Only I am shocked and indignant at what I have heard.”
“But there is not one word of truth in it. Who is your informant? I demand to know his name.”
I strained my ears in suspense, wondering how she would reply, for I already guessed the bearings of the conversation. To my surprise, she replied parabolically—
“It is the common talk of the place.”
“Then it is a simple scandal!”
“You are not engaged to Miss Dove?”
“Certainly not. She herself can tell you that there is nothing of the kind between us. I will admit freely that she has a great esteem for me—that, in short, she is attached to me; and that possibly, if I desired it, she would marry me.”