Part 46 (2/2)
But his modest reticence was remarkable. He stood in the somber hall listening intently to make sure that the cab really did ascend the steep street towards the station, when his ally, after peering over the banisters, ran downstairs to meet him. He was just heaving a deep sigh of relief.
”Did some one go away in a cab?” she asked.
He looked at her sharply.
”Quite possibly.”
In her eyes gleamed a sudden hint of suspicion.
”Was it Heriot?”
He took his time before answering very deliberately--
”It was.”
”Where is he going?”
Again he paused. As every moment took his father farther from them, so every moment was precious.
”Can you not guess?”
”What!” she cried. ”You're actually putting him into an asylum?”
”It's the best place for him.”
She seized his arm.
”Did you give him the alternative?”
With a chaste movement he withdrew the arm.
”I gave him an alternative, certainly.”
Her black eyes seemed to pierce into his brain. He disliked being looked at like that exceedingly.
”_Our_ alternative?”
”Our?” he questioned.
”The alternative we discussed last night?”
”We discussed a good many things.”
She kept following him up till his back was nearly against the front door.
”Did you offer him the alternative of keeping his promise to me?”
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