Bennydeck let the matter rest there.  Struck by the remarkable appearance of embarrassment in Mrs. Presty’s manner—­and feeling (in spite of Herbert’s politeness of language) increased distrust of the man whom he had found visiting her—­he thought it might not be amiss to hint that she could rely on him in case of necessity.  “I am afraid I have interrupted a confidential interview,” he began; “and I ought perhaps to explain—­”

Mrs. Presty listened absently; preoccupied by the fear that Herbert would provoke a dangerous disclosure, and by the difficulty of discovering a means of preventing it.  She interrupted the Captain.

“Excuse me for one moment; I have a word to say to this gentleman.”  Bennydeck immediately drew back, and Mrs. Presty lowered her voice.  “If you wish to see Kitty,” she resumed, attacking Herbert on his weak side, “it depends entirely on your discretion.”

“What do you mean by discretion?”

“Be careful not to speak of our family troubles—­and I promise you shall see Kitty.  That is what I mean.”

Herbert declined to say whether he would be careful or not.  He was determined to find out, first, with what purpose Bennydeck had entered the room.  “The gentleman was about to explain himself to you,” he said to Mrs. Presty.  “Why don’t you give him the opportunity?”

She had no choice but to submit—­in appearance at least.  Never had she hated Herbert as she hated him at that moment.  The Captain went on with his explanation.  He had his reasons (he said) for hesitating, in the first instance, to present himself uninvited, and he accordingly retired.  On second thoughts, however, he had returned, in the hope—­

“In the hope,” Herbert interposed, “of seeing Mrs. Presty’s daughter?”

“That was one of my motives,” Bennydeck answered.

“Is it indiscreet to inquire what the other motive was?”

“Not at all.  I heard a stranger’s voice, speaking in a tone which, to say the least of it, is not customary in a lady’s room and I thought—­”

Herbert interrupted him again.  “And you thought your interference might be welcome to the lady!  Am I right?”

“Quite right.”

“Am I making another lucky guess if I suppose myself to be speaking to Captain Bennydeck?”

“I shall be glad to hear, sir, how you have arrived at the knowledge of my name.”

“Shall we say, Captain, that I have arrived at it by instinct?”

His face, as he made that reply, alarmed Mrs. Presty.  She cast a look at him, partly of entreaty, partly of warning.  No effect was produced by the look.  He continued, in a tone of ironical compliment:  “You must pay the penalty of being a public character.  Your marriage is announced in the newspapers.”

“I seldom read the newspapers.”

“Ah, indeed?  Perhaps the report is not true?  As you don’t read the newspapers, allow me to repeat it.  You are engaged to marry the ‘beautiful widow, Mrs. Norman.’  I think I quote those last words correctly?”