What have you done ?' 'Not come home ?' 'Then he is free?
He is safe--my father?
You have spared him ?' Dagworthy inwardly cursed himself for shortsightedness.

Were he but able to answer 'Yes,' would she not yield him anything?
Why had he not made trial of this policy?
Or was it now too late?
But Hoed had not returned home.

The man had gone forth from him in despair.

As he gazed at the girl, a suspicion, all but a fear, touched him.

Why should Hood remain away from his house?
She was repeating her questions imploringly.
'He is free, as far as I am concerned, Emily.' 'You have forgiven him?
Oh, you have had that mercy upon us ?' 'Sit down, and let us talk about it,' said Dagworthy.
She did not seem to notice that he had taken her hand; but the next moment he was holding her in his arm, and with a cry she broke away.
'There are others in the house,' she exclaimed, her wild, fearful eyes seeking other exit than that which he stopped.