The land-steward was not a man accustomed to hesitate, but he
hesitated now. He was not usually at a loss for phrases in which
to express himself, but he stammered at the very outset of his
reply. "Suppose I answered," he began, slowly; "suppose I told
you that you wronged him, would my testimony really be strong
enough to shake opinions, or rather presumptions, which have been
taking firmer and firmer hold of you for months and months past?
Suppose, on the other hand, that my master had his little"
(Lomaque hesitated before he pronounced the next word)--"his
little--infirmities, let me say; but only hypothetically, mind
that--infirmities; and suppose I had observed them, and was
willing to confide them to you, what purpose would such a
confidence answer now, at the eleventh hour, with Mademoiselle
Rose's heart engaged, with the marriage fixed for to-morrow? No!
no! trust me--"
Trudaine looked up suddenly. "I thank you for reminding me,
Monsieur Lomaque, that it is too late now to make inquiries, and
by consequence too late also to trust in others. My sister has
chosen; and on the subject of that choice my lips shall be
henceforth sealed. The events of the future are with God;
whatever they may be, I hope I am strong enough to bear my part
in them with the patience and the courage of a man! I apologize,
Monsieur Lomaque, for having thoughtlessly embarrassed you by
questions which I had no right to ask.
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