‘Oh, yes; I know him.’

’He’s not the sort of man to bear this sort of thing.  He’ll about tear Trevelyan in pieces if he gets hold of him.  God bless my soul—­’ the eyebrows went to work again ’I never heard of such a thing in all my life!  Does he pay anything for them, Mr Outhouse?’

This was dreadful to the poor clergyman.  ’That is a subject which we surely need not discuss,’ said he.  Then he remembered that such speech on his part was like to a subterfuge, and he found it necessary to put himself right.  ’I am repaid for the maintenance here of my nieces, and the little boy, and their attendants.  I do not know why the question should be asked, but such is the fact.’

‘Then they are here by agreement between you and him?’

’No, sir; they are not.  There is no such agreement.  But I do not like these interrogatives from a stranger as to matters which should be private.’

‘You cannot wonder at my interest, Mr Outhouse.’

’You had better restrain it, sir, till Sir Marmaduke arrives.  I shall then wash my hands of the affair.’

‘And she is pretty well—­Emily, I mean?’

‘Mrs Trevelyan’s health is good.’

’Pray tell her though I could not, might not, ask to see her, I came to inquire after her the first moment that I was in London.  Pray tell her how much I feel for her; but she will know that.  When Sir Marmaduke is here, of course, we shall meet.  When she is once more under her father’s wing, she need not be restrained by any absurd commands from a husband who has deserted her.  At present, of course, I do not ask to see her.’

‘Of course, you do not, Colonel Osborne.’

’And give my love to Nora, dear little Nora!  There can be no reason why she and I should not shake hands.’

‘I should prefer that it should not be so in this house,’ said the clergyman, who was now standing in expectation that his unwelcome guest would go.

’Very well, so be it.  But you will understand I could not be in London without coming and asking after them.’  Then the Colonel at last took his leave, and Mr Outhouse was left to his solitude and his sermons.

Mrs Outhouse was very angry when she heard of the visit.  ’Men of that sort,’ she said, ’think it a fine thing and talk about it.  I believe the poor girl is as innocent as I am, but he isn’t innocent.  He likes it.’

‘"It is easier,"’ said Mr Outhouse solemnly, ’"for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."’

‘I don’t know that he is a rich man,’ said Mrs Outhouse; ’but he wouldn’t have come here if he had been honest.’

Mrs Trevelyan was told of the visit, and simply said that of course it was out of the question that she should have seen Colonel Osborne.  Nevertheless she seemed to think it quite natural that he should have called, and defended him with some energy when her aunt declared that he had been much to blame.  ’He is not bound to obey Mr Trevelyan because I am,’ said Emily.