Perhaps he entertained some faint hope that the question would be allowed to pass unanswered.

He saw, however, from his father's eye that that was impossible.

And then he did remember it all.

"I suppose I did know it." "And you were willing to imperil your brother's position in life, and my happiness, in order that he might see a horse, of which I believe you call yourself part owner, run a race ?" "I thought there would be no risk if he got back the same night.

I don't suppose there is any good in my saying it, but I never was so sorry for anything in all my life.