`` Then I can not tell you . '' Anger glowed in Emily 's eyes . `` I thought you were a gentleman , '' she said bitterly . `` You are not . You are breaking Lynde 's heart . She 's gone to a shadow of herself and she 's fretting night and day . You went there and made her like you -- oh , I 've eyes -- and then you left her . '' Alan bent over his desk and looked the old woman in the face unflinchingly . `` You are mistaken , Miss Oliver , '' he said earnestly . `` I love Lynde and would be only too happy if it were possible that I could marry her . I am not to blame for what has come about -- she will tell you that herself if you ask her . '' His look and tone convinced Emily . `` Who is to blame then ? Lynde herself ? '' `` No , no . '' `` The Captain then ? '' `` Not in the sense you mean . I can tell you nothing more . '' A baffled expression crossed the old woman 's face . `` There 's a mystery here -- there always has been -- and I 'm shut out of it .
Lynde wo n't confide in me -- in me who 'd give my life 's blood XXXXX help her .
Captain Emily day if in like of over that to