“Is it indiscreet to inquire what the other motive was?”
“Not at all. I heard a stranger’s voice, speaking in a tone which, to say the least of it, is not customary in a lady’s room and I thought—”
Herbert interrupted him again. “And you thought your interference might be welcome to the lady! Am I right?”
“Quite right.”
“Am I making another lucky guess if I suppose myself to be speaking to Captain Bennydeck?”
“I shall be glad to hear, sir, how you have arrived at the knowledge of my name.”
“Shall we say, Captain, that I have arrived at it by instinct?”
His face, as he made that reply, alarmed Mrs. Presty. She cast a look at him, partly of entreaty, partly of warning. No effect was produced by the look. He continued, in a tone of ironical compliment: “You must pay the penalty of being a public character. Your marriage is announced in the newspapers.”
“I seldom read the newspapers.”
“Ah, indeed? Perhaps the report is not true? As you don’t read the newspapers, allow me to repeat it. You are engaged to marry the ‘beautiful widow, Mrs. Norman.’ I think I quote those last words correctly?”