The ashy paleness peculiar to him in moments of strong emotion began to show itself on Midwinter's cheeks.
"More explanations!" he said, and drew back a step, with his eyes fixed in a sudden terror of inquiry on Allan's face.
"You don't know what I know, Midwinter. You don't know that what I have done has been done with a good reason. And what is more, I have not trusted to myself--I have had good advice."
"Did you hear what I said just now?" asked Midwinter, incredulously. "You can't--surely, you can't have been attending to me?"
"I haven't missed a word," rejoined Allan. "I tell you again, you don't know what I know of Miss Gwilt. She has threatened Miss Milroy. Miss Milroy is in danger while her governess stops in this neighborhood."
Midwinter dismissed the major's daughter from the conversation with a contemptuous gesture of his hand.
"I don't want to hear about Miss, Milroy," he said. "Don't mix up Miss Milroy--Good God, Allan, am I to understand that the spy set to watch Miss Gwilt was doing his vile work with your approval?"
"Once for all, my dear fellow, will you, or will you not, let me explain?"
"Explain!" cried Midwinter, his eyes aflame, and his hot Creole blood rushing crimson into his face. "Explain the employment of a spy? What! after having driven Miss Gwilt out of her situation by meddling with her private affairs, you meddle again by the vilest of all means--the means of a paid spy? You set a watch on the woman whom you yourself told me you loved, only a fortnight since--the woman you were thinking of as your wife! I don't believe it; I won't believe it. Is my head failing me? Is it Allan Armadale I am speaking to? Is it Allan Armadale's face looking at me? Stop! you are acting under some mistaken scruple. Some low fellow has crept into your confidence, and has done this in your name without telling you first."
Allan controlled himself with admirable patience and admirable consideration for the temper of his friend. "If you persist in refusing to hear me," he said, "I must wait as well as I can till my turn comes."
"Tell me you are a stranger to the employment of that man, and I will hear you willingly."
"Suppose there should be a necessity, that you know nothing about, for employing him?"
"I acknowledge no necessity for the cowardly persecution of a helpless woman."