‘He knew of the letter which I wrote to you.’

‘You have canvassed me between you?’

’Of course we have.  Is that unnatural?  Would you have had me be silent about you to the oldest and the best friend I have in the world?’

’No, I would not have had you be silent to your oldest and best friend.  I presume you would declare your purpose.  But I should not have supposed you would have asked his leave.  When I was travelling with you, I thought you were a man capable of managing your own actions.  I had heard that in your country girls sometimes hold themselves at the disposal of their friends,—­but I did not dream that such could be the case with a man who had gone out into the...