He knew that his manner was all but a tacit admission that appearances were against him.

But agitation drove him to the brink of anger, and when Gilbert stood mute, with veiled eyes, he continued impetuously: 'I tell you that you have amazed me by your news.

Are you accusing me of something?
You must speak more plainly.

Do you mean that suspicion has fallen upon me?
How?
I don't--I can't understand you!' 'I thought you would understand me,' Gilbert replied, gravely, not offensively, with far more dignity than the other had been able to preserve.

'Several things compelled me to believe that you knew of her leaving us.