His own affairs possessed him too completely.
"What's this ?" quoth Oliver at last, hoarsely.
Lionel dropped his eyes, unable longer to meet a glance that was becoming terrible.
"He would have it," he growled almost sullenly, answering the reproach that was written in every line of his brother's taut body.

"I had warned him not to cross my path.

But to-night I think some madness had seized upon him.

He affronted me, Noll; he said things which it was beyond human power to endure, and...." He shrugged to complete his sentence.
"Well, well," said Oliver in a small voice.

"First let us tend this wound of yours." "Do not call Nick," was the other's swift admonition.