have come to
my knowledge which concern you very intimately."

A polite curiosity and a slight scepticism were expressed in Harry's
"Indeed!"

"And not only you, or--I need hardly say--I shouldn't feel it necessary
to occupy myself with the matter. A word about my own position you will
perhaps forgive."

Harry frowned a little; certainly Duplay was inclined to prolixity; he
seemed to be rolling the situation round his tongue and making the most
of its flavor.

"Since we came here we have made many acquaintances, your own among the
number; we are in a sense your guests."

"Not in a sense that puts you under any obligation," observed Harry.

"I'm sincerely glad to hear you say that; it relieves my position to
some extent. But we have made friends too. In one house I myself (I may
leave my niece out of the question) have been received with a hearty,
cordial, warm friendship that seems already an old friendship. Now that
does put me under an obligation, Mr Tristram."

"You refer to our friends the Ivers? Yes?"

"In my view, under a heavy obligation. I am, I say, in my judgment bound
to serve them in all ways in my power, and to deal with them as I should
wish and expect them to deal with me in a similar case."

Harry nodded a careless assent, and turned his eyes away toward the
Pool; even already he seemed to know what was coming, or something of
it.

"Facts have come to my knowledge of which it might be--indeed I must say
of which it is--of vital importance that Mr Iver should be informed."

"I thought the facts concerned me?" asked Harry, with brows a little
raised.

"Yes, and as matters now stand they concern him too for that very
reason." Duplay had gathered confidence; his tone was calm and assured
as he came step by step near his mark, as he established position after
position in his attack.

"You are paying attentions to Miss Iver--with a view to marriage, I
presume?"

Harry made no sign. Duplay proceeded, slowly and with careful
deliberation.

"Those attentions are offered and received as from Mr Tristram--as from
the future Lord Tristram of Blent. I can't believe that you're ignorant
of what I'm about to say. If you are, I must beg forgiveness for the
pain I shall inflict on you. You, sir, are not the future Lord Tristram
of Blent."

A silence followed: a slight drizzle had begun to fall, speckling the
waters of the Pool; neither man heeded it.

"It would be impertinent in me," the Major re