Herbert was entirely unprepared for this discovery. Once more, the Captain had got the best of it.
“Are you and Randal Linley intimate friends?” he inquired, as soon as he had recovered himself.
“Most intimate.”
“It’s strange that he should never have mentioned me, on any occasion when you and he were together.”
“It does indeed seem strange.”
Herbert paused. His brother’s keen sense of the disgrace that he had inflicted on the family recurred to his memory. He began to understand Randal’s otherwise unaccountable silence.
“Are you nearly related to Mr. Randal Linley?” the Captain asked.
“I am his elder brother.”
Ignorant on his part of the family disgrace, Bennydeck heard that reply with amazement. From his point of view, it was impossible to account for Randal’s silence.
“Will you think me very inquisitive,” Herbert resumed, “if I ask whether my brother approves of your marriage?”