THE PENANCE The tale was done, and these two stood staring at one another from each side of the glowing hearth, whose red light illumined their faces.

At length the heavy silence was broken by Sir Andrew.
"I read your heart, Hugh," he said, "as Murgh read mine, for I think that he gave me not only strength, but something of his wisdom also, whereby I was able to win safe back to England and to this hour to walk unharmed by many a pit.

I read your heart, and in its book is written that you think me mad, one who pleases his old age with tales of marvel that others told him, or which his own brain fashioned." "Not so, Father," answered Hugh uneasily, for in truth some such thoughts were passing through his mind.

"Only--only the thing is very strange, and it happened so long ago, before Eve and I were born, before those that begot us were born either, perchance." "Yes; more than fifty years ago--it may be sixty--I forget.

In sixty years the memory plays strange tricks with men, no doubt, so how can I blame you if you believe--what you do believe?
And yet, Hugh," he went on after a pause, and speaking with passion, "this was no dream of which I tell you.