What had happened?
Strong, secret inclination toward finding least painful things for himself brought his conclusion.

Sitting there in the sunshine, his will deceiving him, he determined that it was simply that Elspeth had at last told Glenfernie that she could not love him because she loved another.

Probably--persistence being markedly a trait of Old Steadfast's--he had been after her once and again, and she had turned upon him and said much more than in prudence she should have said! So Alexander would have made his discovery and might, if he pleased, image other trysts than his own in the glen! Certainly he had done this, and then sat down and penned his challenge! Elspeth! He was unshakably conscious that Glenfernie would tell none what Elspeth might have been provoked into giving away.

Old Steadfast, there was no denying, had that knightliness.

Three now knew--no more than three.