Drelincourt looked puzzled and only half convinced. It was not pleasant to him to be told that he had so completely misread the character of his seeming simple minded sister.
"It's a pity you did not give me a hint at the time of what was going forward," he remarked, after a momentary pause.
"Young Mr. Ormsby's visit had nearly come to an end before I had anything more than vague suspicions to go upon. And the next thing I heard was that his regiment was presently going abroad. After that it seemed to me all further danger was at an end, and I came to the conclusion that my wisest plan would be to keep my discovery to myself."
"I presume you have satisfied yourself that no correspondence has passed between Lieutenant Ormsby and Anna?"
"On that point I am quite satisfied."
"Does she talk much, or at all, about him?"
"I have not heard her even mention his name during the last month or more."
"Then I suppose all there is left me to do is to hope for the best, and to trust that no real harm has been done?"
"If signs go for anything, sir, I am certainly inclined to believe that Miss Anna is still heart whole and fancy free. But, as I have already remarked, her character is not an easy one to read. Of course, if Mr. Guy were to appear again on the scene, I could not answer for what might happen."
"There is not much fear of that--now," said Mr. Drelincourt significantly. "It is not at all likely that he and Anna will ever set eyes on each other again."