"I could not look at Jack. I dared not. I could not go to him--stand byhim! I had not the right. I had to leave him there--in the middle of theroom--alone. The awful hurt in his eyes made me writhe. The room waswhirling round--I felt sick--I know I fell back into my chair, hiding myface. I hardly cared whether they suspected me or not. But they did not.They knew how great was the love between us, and they were not surprisedthat I broke down.
"I heard Andover's soft voice ... he was telling some tale to Dare. Oh,they were well-bred those men! They skimmed over the unpleasant littleepisode--ignored Jack!
"Jack spoke again. I could guess how bravely he was keeping a proudfront. I know word for word what he said: 'Mr. Dare, your Grace,Gentlemen--my apologies for being the cause of so unpleasant anincident. Pray give me leave.'
"They paid no heed. I heard him walk to the door--heard him open it. Icould not look at him. He--he paused ... and said just one word: 'Dick!'quite softly. Heaven knows how I got to him! I know I overturned mychair. That drew Dare's attention. He said: 'You are not going, Dick?' Ishouted 'Yes,' at him, and then Jack took my arm, leading me out.
"And--and all he said was: 'Poor old Dick!'... He--he had no word ofblame for me. He would not allow me to go back and tell the truth--as Iwould have done. Ay, Warburton, when Jack called me to him, I could havecried it aloud--but--he would not have it.... He said: 'For Lavinia'ssake.'..."
Warburton blew his nose violently. His fingers were trembling.
"You know what happened afterwards. You know how my father turned Jackout penniless--you know how his friends shunned him--you know my poormother's grief. And you know that he went away--that we could not findhim when--my mother died.... His last words to me--were: 'MakeLavinia-happy--and try to forget--all this.' Forget it! Heavens! Try asI might, I could hear nothing further of him until two months ago, whenhe--waylaid me. Then I was half-dazed at the suddenness of it. He--hegrasped my hand--and--laughed! It was so dark, I could scarce see him. Ionly had time to demand his address, and then--he was off--gallopingaway over the heath. I think--even then--he bore no malice."
"He does not now!" said Warburton sharply. "But, Master Dick, if allthis is true, why do you not even now clear him? Surely--"
Richard turned his head slowly.
"Now I may not drag my wife's name through the mud. By clearing him--Iruin her."
Warburton could find nothing to say. Only after some time did he clearhis throat and say that he was honoured by Carstares' confidence.
"You--ah--you dwell on the part played by his Grace on that evening.Surely your--shall we say--overwrought imagination magnified that?"
Richard was disinterested.
"I suppose so. Mayhap 'twas his extraordinary personality dominating me.He cannot have pulled the wires as I thought he did. Not even Belmanoircould make me act as I did. But--but at the time I felt that he waspushing--pushing--compelling me to accuse Jack. Oh, doubtless I wasmad!"
Warburton eyed the dejected figure compassionately. Then he seemed toharden himself and to regain some of his lost primness of manner.
"You--ah--you are determined not to accept the revenues, sir?"
"I have not yet sunk so low, Mr. Warburton."
"His lordship leaves Wyncham and all appertaining to it at yourdisposal. He would be grieved at your refusal."
"I will not touch it."
The lawyer nodded.
"I confess, Mr. Carstares, I am relieved to hear you say that. It willnot be necessary again to communicate with his lordship. I think he doesnot desire any intercourse with--his family. He finds it too painful.But he wished to be remembered to you, sir. Also to her ladyship."
"Thank you.... You could--ascertain nothing of his situation? He did notconfide in you?"
"He was very reticent, sir. I think he is not unhappy."
"And not--embittered?"
"Certainly not that, sir."
Mr. Warburton rose, plainly anxious to be gone.
Reluctantly Richard followed his example.
"You--have nothing further to tell me of him?"
"I regret, sir--nothing."
Richard went slowly to the door, and opened it.