Part 16 (2/2)
”Go on, sir, go on!”
”Oh, no!” cried the lad; ”I a to search the place I'm sure if our lieutenant kneould not wish it for a azed at the boy wildly, as he clasped his child to his breast
”You--you are not going to search?” he said hesitatingly
”No, of course not Pray forgive me I'll lead my men back to the boat at once”
He raised his hat to Lady Graeme, an example followed by the master clumsily, as he backed away to the an tothe trees, Sir Risdon stooped down and kissed his child's forehead passionately
”Wife,” he said, in a deep, husky voice, ”I never felt the radation of my position so cruelly before Take her up to her roo to do, Risdon?” exclaimed the lady
”Follow that poor lad, and let him know the truth I will not let him fail in his duty, to rescue that old scoundrel down below”
”No, no! You must not It would be too cruel,” whispered Lady Graeme wildly ”Think of the consequences”
”I do,” said Sir Risdon sternly ”I should have behaved like what I have a right to be called--a gentleman”
”And make our fortunes ten times worse You would be torn frorace to that?”
”You are cruel,” said Sir Risdon bitterly ”I must, woman; I tell you I must If this poor child should ever know into what a pit I have allowed ain?”
”It would kill her for you to be taken away, to be punished, perhaps, for that which you could hardly help”
”No, she would soon forget”
”And I should soon forget?” said Lady Graeme reproachfully
Sir Risdon turned to her wildly, as she laid her head upon his breast
”If you were taken from us, it would kill me too,” she said tenderly; and then in silence, they bore their insensible child into the forbidding-looking house
CHAPTER NINE
”Think we've done right, my lad?” said Gurr, after they had half way descended the slope
”Yes, of course How could we search the house of a gentleh”
”It was impossible”