Mitchy took this in with an attention that spoke of his already recognising how the less tempered darkness favoured talk. “And is that all that passed between you?” “Well, practically; except of course that I made him understand, I think, how it happened that I haven’t kept my own counsel.” “Oh but you HAVE--didn’t he at least feel?--or perhaps even have done better, when you’ve two such excellent persons to keep it FOR you. Can’t he easily believe how we feel with you?” Vanderbank appeared for a minute to leave this appeal unheeded; he continued to stare into the garden while he smoked and swung the long leg he had thrown over the arm of the chair. When he at last spoke, however, it was with some emphasis--perhaps even with some vulgarity. “Oh rot!” Mitchy hovered without an arrest. “You mean he CAN’T feel?” “I mean it isn’t true. I’ve no illusions about you. I know how you’re both affected, though I of course perfectly trust you.” Mitchy had a short silence. “Trust us not to speak?” “Not to speak to Nanda herself--though of course too if you spoke to others,” Vanderbank went on, “they’d immediately rush and tell her.” “I’ve spoken to no one,” said Mitchy. “I’m sure of it. And neither has Mrs. Brook.” “I’m glad you’re sure of that also,” Mitchy returned, “for it’s only doing her justice.” “Oh I’m quite confident of it,” said Vanderbank. “And without asking her?” “Perfectly.” “And you’re equally sure, without asking, that _I_ haven’t betrayed you?” After which, while, as if to let the question lie there in its folly, Vanderbank said nothing, his friend pursued: “I came, I must tell you, terribly near it to-day.” “Why must you tell me? Your coming ‘near’ doesn’t concern me, and I take it you don’t suppose I’m watching or sounding you. Mrs. Brook will have come terribly near,” Vanderbank continued as if to make the matter free; “but she won’t have done it either. She’ll have been distinctly tempted--!” “But she won’t have fallen?” Mitchy broke in. “Exactly--there we are. _I_ was distinctly tempted and I didn’t fall. I think your certainty about Mrs. Brook,” he added, “shows you do know her. She’s incapable of anything deliberately nasty.” “Oh of anything nasty in any way,” Vanderbank said musingly and kindly. “Yes; one knows on the whole what she WON’T do.” After which, for a period, Mitchy roamed and reflected. “But in spite of the assurance given you by Mr. Longdon--or perhaps indeed just because of your having taken it--I think I ought to mention to you my belief that Nanda does know of his offer to you. I mean by having guessed it.” “Oh!” said Vanderbank. “There’s in fact more still,” his companion pursued--“that I feel I should like to mention to you.” “Oh!” Vanderbank at first only repeated. But after a moment he said: “My dear fellow, I’m much obliged.”