Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/242

232 "We are early callers, my brother and I," he said, "Can I see your father?"

"He is in his study, I think," she said, regaining her composure.

"Will you not find him for me?" Ernest smiled. "I want to see him on important business."

He watched his brother stride away, and smiled again. "I was nearly too late," he thought.

Maud noticed reluctantly the contrast he was to his brother. So fresh, so strong, so neat, so unlike and yet so like the broken weary man who had left her. Yet Hugh's agony still wrung her heart; it swung like a pendulum between the two.

Ernest looked at her.

"Give me your hand."

She gave it blushing.

"Stay with me a moment," he said softly, "I have something to say to you." He led her to a little summer-house, and drew her to a seat. Her heart beat wildly, she did not know what to do. She knew at last she must make up her mind definitely beneath the power of this man's will.