It would be strange if you did not; it would appear to everybody still stranger.

Give me your word as a gentleman that you will not make the least allusion to her of the past--nor reopen the subject." Paul looked fixedly at the colonel.

"I certainly had no intention of doing so," he said after a pause, "for I thought it was already settled by you beyond disturbance or discussion.

But do I understand you, that SHE has shown any uneasiness regarding it?
From what you have just told me of her plans and ambition, I can scarcely imagine that she has any suspicion of the real facts." "Certainly not," said the colonel hurriedly.

"But I have your promise." "I promise you," said Paul, after a pause, "that I shall neither introduce nor refer to the subject myself, and that if SHE should question me again regarding it, which is hardly possible, I will reveal nothing without your consent." "Thank you," said Pendleton, without, however, exhibiting much relief in his face.