There was something in this allusive change of epithet that gave Julia a little more courage—"He was indeed, sir; and if I am very wrong, as I have often thought, I have some apology."
"And what is that?" answered the Colonel, speaking quick and with something of harshness.
"I will not venture to name it, sir—but"—She opened a small cabinet, and put some letters into his hands; "I will give you these that you may see how this intimacy began, and by whom it was encouraged."
Mannering took the packet to the window—his pride forbade a more distant retreat—he glanced at some passages of the letters with an unsteady eye and an agitated mind—his stoicism, however, came in time to his aid; that philosophy, which, rooted in pride, yet frequently bears the fruits of virtue. He returned towards his daughter with as firm an air as his feelings permitted him to assume.
"There is great apology for you, Julia,
