Seeing no one but the indifferent trusty who was too far away to overhear, Beard continued: "Mr.Whitmore loved Mrs.Collins, as you already know.
Were scandal to break over her head--if I did not sacrifice myself to prevent it--it would be the vilest ingratitude to an employer whose memory I venerate." "Then you are protecting Mrs.Collins ?" Her frame throbbed with the conflict of agonized emotions.

"Mrs.Collins!" she repeated, as if afraid that he had misunderstood.
"Yes," he answered resignedly.

"I know I am doing precisely what Mr.
Whitmore would have asked, me to do.

And now, dear, please don't press me farther.

I can't tell you more--not at this time.