He could plead again that Harry had forbidden him speech, but the plea would be an excuse and nothing more.

He knew very well that were Harry present, Harry would repeat them, and Lieutenant Sutch knew what harm silence had already done.

He mastered his love in the end and came back to the table.
"There is something which it is fair you should know," he said.

"When Harry went away to redeem his honour, if the opportunity should come, he had no hope, indeed he had no wish, that Miss Eustace should wait for him.

She was the spur to urge him, but she did not know even that.