With a sudden sensation of being utterly sick of himself and his feelings, tired of both Hyacinth and Eugenia, and bored to death at the idea of all women, Cecil went to see Lord Selsey.
'Somehow I never should have thought it,' said Edith thoughtfully.
'Never should have thought what? You have a way of assuming I know the end of your story before I've heard the beginning. It's an annoying method,' said Bruce.
'I shouldn't have been so surprised if they had been anywhere else. But just _there_,' continued Edith.
'Perhaps I'd better not tell you,' Edith said.
They had just finished dinner, and she got up as if to ring the bell for coffee.
'No! Don't ring; I don't wish Bennett to be present at a painful scene.'
Edith looked at him. 'I didn't know there was going to be a painful scene. What's the matter?'
'Naturally, I'm distressed and hurt at your conduct.'
'Naturally,' he continued, 'I'm hurt at your keeping things from me. Your own husband! I may have my faults--'
'Oh dear, Bruce, I was only thinking. I'm sorry if I was irritating. I will tell you.'
'When Nurse and Archie were out in the Gardens this morning, who do you think they met?'
'This is not a game. I'm not going to guess. You seem to take me for a child.'
'Well, you won't tell anybody, will you?'
'That depends. I'm not going to make any promises beforehand. I shall act on my own judgement.'
'Oh, you might promise. Well, I'll trust you.'
'They met Hyacinth, walking with Cecil Reeve alone in a quiet part of the Gardens. They weren't walking.'
'Then why did you say they were?' asked Bruce severely.
'It's the same thing. They were sitting down.'
'Oh, don't worry, Bruce! They were sitting down under a tree and Nurse saw them holding hands.'
'Holding hands,' continued Edith; 'and I can't help thinking they must be engaged. Isn't it extraordinary Hyacinth hasn't told me? What do you think?'
Bruce got up from the table, lighted a cigarette, and walked round the little room.
'I don't know. I must consider. I must think it over.' He paused a minute. 'I am pained. Pained and surprised. A girl like Hyacinth, a friend of yours, behaving like a housemaid out with a soldier in the open street!'
'That makes their conduct worse. I scarcely think, after what you have told me, that I can allow you to go out with Hyacinth tomorrow.'