I knew at that time that
Mr. Holbrook had taken his wife to a farm-house in Hampshire immediately
after their marriage--a house lent to him by a friend; but I did not know
that you had any estate in that county. I have been to Hampshire since
then, and have found Mrs. Holbrook at the Grange, near Crosber--in your
house."
"You have found her! Well, Mr. Fenton, the circumstantial evidence is too
strong for me, so I must plead guilty. Yes; I did deceive you when I told
you that Holbrook was unknown to me; but I pledged my word to keep his
secret--to give you no clue, should you ever happen to question me, that
could lead to your discovery of your lost love's whereabouts. It was
considered, I conclude, that any meeting between you two must needs
result unpleasantly. At any rate, there was a strong desire to avoid you;
and in common duty to my friend I was compelled to respect that desire."
"Not a very manly wish on the part of my successful rival," said Gilbert.
"It may have been the lady's wish rather than Mr. Holbrook's."
"I have reason to know that it was otherwise. I have heard from Marian's
own lips that she would have written a candid confession of the truth had
she been free to do so. It was her husband who prevented her giving me
notice of my desertion."
"I cannot pretend to explain his conduct," Sir David answered gravely.
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