More than
that, Herbert was convinced from his manner that he had no
intention of making a confidant of Mrs. Brooks, and this convinced
him that Dornton's previous relations with Tappington were not only
utterly inconsistent with that young man's decorous reputation, but
were unsuspected by the family. The stranger's familiar knowledge
of the room, his mysterious allusions to the "risks" Tappington had
taken, and his sudden silence on the discovery of Bly's ignorance
of the whole affair all pointed to some secret that, innocent or
not, was more or less perilous, not only to the son but to the
mother and sister. Of the latter's ignorance he had no doubt--but
had he any right to enlighten them? Admitting that Tappington had
deceived them with the others, would they thank him for opening
their eyes to it? If they had already a suspicion, would they care
to know that it was shared by him? Halting between his frankness
and his delicacy, the final thought that in his budding relations
with the daughter it might seem a cruel bid for her confidence, or
a revenge for their distrust of him, inclined him to silence. But
an unforeseen occurrence took the matter from his hands. At noon
he was told that Mr. Carstone wished to see him in his private
room!
Satisfied that his complicity with Dornton's escape was discovered,
the unfortunate Herbert presented himself, pale but self-possessed,
before his employer.
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