"You have been speaking to my father," she said.
Instantly the Colonel assumed a serious manner, not the most serious, such as he wore at funerals, but still one suited to a grave occasion.
"Yes, I have." "You remember all that you said ?" "Certainly, Miss Fregelius; and I assume that for the purposes of this conversation it need not be repeated." She bowed her head, and replied, "I have come to explain and to tell you three things.

First, that all these stories are false except that about the singing.

Secondly, that whoever is responsible for them has made it impossible that I should live in Monksland, so I am going to London to earn my own living there.

And, thirdly, that I hope you will excuse my absence from dinner as I think the more I keep to myself until we go to-morrow, the better; though I reserve to myself the right to speak to Mr.Monk on this subject and to say good-bye to him." "She _is_ taking it hard and she _is_ fond of him--deuced fond of him, poor girl," thought the Colonel; but aloud he said, "My dear Miss Fregelius, I never believed the stories.

As for the principal one, common sense rebels against it.