Had I been so, I should have been guilty of that treachery of which you accuse me.

I did know nothing of it till Lady Mary told me on the day before I left Matching.

That she should tell me was natural enough.
Her mother had known it, and for the moment,--if I am not assuming too much in saying so,--I was filling her mother's place.

But, in reference to you, I could not exercise the discretion which a mother might have used, and I told her at once, most decidedly, that you must be made acquainted with the fact.
Then Lady Mary expressed to me her wish,--not that this matter should be kept any longer from you, for that it should be told she was as anxious as I was myself,--but that it should be told to you by Mr.Tregear.It was not for me to raise any question as to Mr.Tregear's fitness or unfitness,--as to which indeed I could know nothing.
All I could do was to say that if Mr.Tregear would make the communication at once, I should feel that I had done my duty.

The upshot was that Mr.Tregear came to me immediately on my return to London, and agreeing with me that it was imperative that you be informed, went to you and did inform you.