There were certain words spoken by Harry upon that occasion
which it seemed fair Durrance should now hear. Compunction and pity bade
Sutch repeat them, his love of Harry Feversham enjoined him to hold his
tongue. He could plead again that Harry had forbidden him speech, but
the plea would be an excuse and nothing more. He knew very well that
were Harry present, Harry would repeat them, and Lieutenant Sutch knew
what harm silence had already done. He mastered his love in the end and
came back to the table.
"There is something which it is fair you should know," he said. "When
Harry went away to redeem his honour, if the opportunity should come, he
had no hope, indeed he had no wish, that Miss Eustace should wait for
him. She was the spur to urge him, but she did not know even that. He
did not wish her to know. He had no claim upon her. There was not even a
hope in his mind that she might at some time be his friend--in this
life, at all events. When he went away from Ramelton, he parted from
her, according to his thought, for all his mortal life. It is fair that
you should know that. Miss Eustace, you tell me, is not the woman to
withdraw from her pledged word.
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