Part 9 (1/2)

”A very good night to you, Henry,” said my father tranquilly

I bowed to him with courtesy which perhaps was intuitive

”Be sure,” I told him, ”to keep your door locked, father”

”Pray do not worry,” he replied ”I have thought out each phase ofuntoward to happen Until ,” I rejoined ”Merely warning you--pardonyou be a bad example

Did you consider that in your plans?”

My father yawned, and placed his feet nearer the coals

”That is better,” he said, ”entleun to fear for you It has seemed tois ht

”Sir--” I began

He slapped his hand on the table with an exclain to rant and beco to say You cannot see a woman bullied--what? Well, by heaven, you can, and you will see it You cannot stand an act of treachery? Come, come, my son, you have better blood in you than to pose as a low actor All around us, every day, these things are happening

Meet them like a man, and do not tell me what is obvious”

I felt my nails bite into my palms

”Your pardon, father,” I said ”I shall behave better in the future”

He glanced at in to understand A very good night to you, Henry And Henry--”

A change in his toneto pay you a compliment Pray do not be overcome I have decided to consider you infactor Brutus, you will take his pistols fros”

In silence Brutus conductedstaircase, where his candle ainst the wainscot I paused ain the dark pit of the hall below us Was it possible I could reht with candles, whose flames made soft halos on the polished floor? Brutus touched rasp of his hand turned ht me to my room”

My speech appeared to ao--perhaps you be angry See?”

And he becaht extinguish the candle

I thought better of an angry coh the archedthat marked the entrance to the upper hall, and at his direction opened a door As I paused involuntarily on the threshold, Brutus deftly slipped past, set the candle on a stand, and bent overto himself, he dropped rin died away His low forehead becaht from one foot to the other irresolutely, and drew a deep breath