Perhaps he thought that he had not acted altogether wisely in allowing her to engage herself to Kinraid, for he was a man apt to judge by results; and moreover he had had so much reason to repent of the encouragement which he had given to the lover whose untimely end had so deeply affected his only child, that he was more unwilling than ever that his wife should know of the length to which the affair had gone during her absence.

He even urged secrecy upon Sylvia as a personal favour; unwilling to encounter the silent blame which he openly affected to despise.
'We'll noane fret thy mother by lettin' on how oft he came and went.
She'll, may-be, be thinkin' he were for speakin' to thee, my poor lass; an' it would put her out a deal, for she's a woman of a stern mind towards matteremony.

And she'll be noane so strong till summer-weather comes, and I'd be loath to give her aught to worrit hersel' about.

So thee and me 'll keep our own counsel.' 'I wish mother had been here, then she'd ha' known all, without my telling her.' 'Cheer up, lass; it's better as it is.

Thou'll get o'er it sooner for havin' no one to let on to.