The lay-figure of Stephen's sketches now
initiated an adjustment of many things. Knight had recognized
her. The opportunity of comparing notes had come unsought.
'Elfride Swancourt, to whom I was engaged,' he said quietly.
'Stephen!'
'I know what you mean by speaking like that.'
'Was it Elfride? YOU the man, Stephen?'
'Yes; and you are thinking why did I conceal the fact from you
that time at Endelstow, are you not?'
'Yes, and more--more.'
'I did it for the best; blame me if you will; I did it for the
best. And now say how could I be with you afterwards as I had
been before?'
'I don't know at all; I can't say.'
Knight remained fixed in thought, and once he murmured--
'I had a suspicion this afternoon that there might be some such
meaning in your words about my taking her away. But I dismissed
it. How came you to know her?' he presently asked, in almost a
peremptory tone.
'I went down about the church; years ago now.'
'When you were with Hewby, of course, of course. Well, I can't
understand it.' His tones rose. 'I don't know what to say, your
hoodwinking me like this for so long!'
'I don't see that I have hoodwinked you at all.'
'Yes, yes, but'----
Knight arose from his seat, and began pacing up and down the room.
His face was markedly pale, and his voice perturbed, as he said--
'You did not act as I should have acted towards you under those
circumstances.
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