"He is brother--I mean he is your nephew, Colonel Sutherland," he said, returning the letter with a somewhat proud gesture. He thought of nothing else in his sublime, youthful contempt for this effort to dishonour him; he was innocent, and his veins tingled with momentary rage, proudly subdued; but he gave no second thought to the discovery, or to the something important and secret which this impotent slander had concealed. However, the Colonel proceeded to question him upon the condition of his relation's estate, and the chances there might be of some discovery of consequence. Roger answered at random, being very ignorant, quite hopeless of any good, and otherwise occupied in his mind. The old soldier was at last compelled to break up the conference from manifest signs of impatience on the part of his guest, who was anxious to go to his room and refresh himself after his journey. When Roger had really got his release, however, and was on his way to the door, the young man came back again with another inconsequent question:-- "May I ask, Colonel Sutherland, if Miss Scarsdale was aware of this--of your suspicions?" he said, fumbling wrathfully with the handle of his travelling-bag. "Certainly not--not a word," said Uncle Edward, gravely; and while the young man went away relieved, the old one mused in his chair, with a little humour in his smile. "I wonder, now, what it mattered if she had?" he said to himself; "they never exchanged three words in their lives." That was very true; but there are more things than words in the world when people are young. CHAPTER IX.