He could understand that too. His uncle's conduct to
this woman, and his wife's, had created the intimacy which had
existed. Through their efforts she had become almost as one of the
family. And now to be dismissed, like a servant who had misbehaved
herself! And then her arguments in her own defence were all so
good,--if only that which Lady Cantrip had laid down as law was to
be held as law. He was aware now that she had had no knowledge of
the matter till his daughter had told her of her engagement at
Matching. Then it was evident also that she had sent this Tregear
to him immediately on her return to London. And at the end of the
letter she had accused him of what she had been pleased to call
his usual tenacity in believing ill of her! He had been
obstinate,--too obstinate in this respect; but he did not love her
the better for having told him of it.
At last he did put his apology into words.
'MY DEAR MRS FINN,
'I believe I had better acknowledge to you at once that I
have been wrong in my judgement as to your conduct in a certain
matter.
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