"But he ought--it is his duty." "My dear child, that is a question which I can hardly discuss with you. But I may tell you, at least, that there is an all-sufficient reason why Angus Hamleigh would never make such an idiot of himself." "Do you mean that she could never be worthy of him--that she is irredeemably wicked?" asked Christabel. "She is not good enough to be any honest man's wife." "And yet she did not seem wicked: she spoke of him with such intense feeling." "She seemed--she spoke!" repeated the Major aghast. "Do you mean to tell me that you have seen--that you have conversed with her?" "Yes: when my aunt told me the story which she heard from Lady Cumberbridge I could not bring myself to believe it until it was confirmed by Miss Mayne's own lips. I made up my mind that I would go and see her--and I went. Was that wrong?" "Very wrong. You ought not to have gone near her. If you wanted to know more than common rumour could tell you, you should have sent me--your friend. It was a most unwise act." "I thought I was doing my duty. I think so still," said Christabel, looking at him with frank steadfast eyes. "We are both women. If we stand far apart it is because Providence has given me many blessings which were withheld from her. It is Mr. Hamleigh's duty to repair the wrong he has done. If he does not he must be answerable to his Maker for the eternal ruin of a soul." "I tell you again, my dear, that you do not understand the circumstances, and cannot fairly judge the case. You would have done better to take an old soldier's advice before you let the venomous gossip of that malevolent harridan spoil two lives." "I did not allow myself to be governed by Lady Cumberbridge's gossip, Uncle Oliver. I took nothing for granted. It was not till I had heard the truth from Miss Mayne's lips that I took any decisive step. Mr. Hamleigh accepted my resolve so readily that I can but think it was a welcome release." "My dear, you went to a queer shop for truth. If you had only known your way about town a little better you would have thought twice before you sacrificed your own happiness in the hope of making Miss Mayne a respectable member of society. But what's done cannot be undone. There's no use in crying over spilt milk. I daresay you and Mr. Hamleigh will meet again and make up your quarrel before we are a year older. In the meantime don't fret, Belle--and don't be afraid that he will ever marry any one but you. I'll be answerable for his constancy."