Men who live a lot alone are apt to be surprised into saying things they regret afterwards, as I noticed he did.

But why do you wonder ?" "Because as it happens, although I have only just recalled it, my father used to tell some story about a man named Marnham in his regiment.

I can't remember the details, but it had to do with cards when high stakes were being played for, and with the striking of a superior officer in the quarrel that ensued, as a result of which the striker was requested to send in his papers." "It may not have been the same man." "Perhaps not, for I believe that more than one Marnham served in that regiment.

But I remember my father saying, by way of excuse for the person concerned, that he had a most ungovernable temper.
I think he added, that he left the country and took service in some army on the Continent.

I should rather like to clear the thing up." "It isn't probable that you will, for even if you should ever meet this Marnham again, I fancy you would find he held his tongue about his acquaintance with your father." "I wonder what Miss Heda is like," went on Anscombe after a pause.