He
possessed, as has been said, an instinctive insight into character
that was almost feminine in its intensity, and it was lifting a
warning finger before him now.
"I don't quite know what to say," he replied at length. "The whole
affair is so sudden--and to tell you the truth, I thought that Ida had
bestowed her affections in another direction."
Edward's face darkened. "I thought so too," he answered, "until
yesterday, when I was so happy as to be undeceived. I ought to tell
you, by the way," he went on, running away from the covert falsehood
in his last words as quickly as he could, "how much I regret I was the
cause of that scene with Colonel Quaritch, more especially as I find
that there is an explanation of the story against him. The fact is, I
was foolish enough to be vexed because he beat me out shooting, and
also because, well I--I was jealous of him."
"Ah, yes," said the Squire, rather coldly, "a most unfortunate affair.
Of course, I don't know what the particulars of the matter were, and
it is no business of mine, but speaking generally, I should say never
bring an accusation of that sort against a man at all unless you are
driven to it, and if you do bring it be quite certain of your ground.
However, that is neither here nor there.
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