And you knew it, well enough--no fear!" "It's a lie, a cursed lie! No one can say a word against her purity.
Only a foul mind could imagine such things." "Purity! Oh yes, she's very pure--you know that, don't you?
No doubt you'll be a witness, and give evidence for her, and against me;--let everybody know how perfect she is, and what a beast and a liar I am! You and your Ida Starr!" Julian rushed out of the room.
Waymark could not but observe peculiarities in Mr.Woodstock's behaviour during the conversation about Ida.

At first it had occurred to him--knowing a good deal of Abraham's mode of life--that there must be some disagreeable secret at the bottom, and for a moment the ever-recurring distrust of Ida rose again.

But he had soon observed that the listener was especially interested in the girl's earliest years, and this pointed to possibilities of a different kind.

What was it that was being taken from the drawer to show him, when the old man suddenly altered his mind?
Mr.Woodstock had perhaps known Ida's parents.

Waymark waited with some curiosity for the interview on the morrow.
Accordingly, he was surprised when, on presenting himself, Mr.
Woodstock did not at first appear to remember what he had called about.
"Oh, ay, the girl!" Abraham exclaimed, on being reminded.