"
"I don't think you ought to have told him," Isobel repeated, much
distressed.
"I could not help it, my dear. You would force me to admit there
was some truth in the story Captain Forster told you, and I was,
therefore, obliged to acquaint him with the fact or he would have
had just cause to reproach me. Besides, you spoke of despising a
man who was not physically brave."
"You never told him that, Doctor; surely you never told him that?"
"I only told what it was necessary he should know, my dear, namely,
that you had heard the story, that you had questioned me, and that
I, knowing the facts from his lips, admitted that there was some
foundation for the story, while asserting that I was convinced that
he was morally a brave man. He did not ask how you took the news,
nor did I volunteer any information whatever on the subject, but
he understood, I think, perfectly the light in which you would view
a coward."
"But what am I to do when we meet, Doctor?" she asked piteously.
"I should say that you will meet just as ordinary .acquaintances
do meet, Miss Hannay. People are civil to others they are thrown
with, however much they may distrust them at heart. You may be sure
that Mr. Bathurst will make no allusion whatever to the matter. I
think I can answer for it that you will see no shade of difference
in his manner. This has always been a heavy burden for him, as even
the most careless observer may see in his manner. I do not say that
this is not a large addition to it, but I dare say he will pull
through; and now I must be off.
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