"You'll stand in with us, Falconer?
Don't refuse me! Let me make some reparation--some atonement for the past!" He rose and stood smiling, an imposing figure with his white hair and brilliant eyes.

Falconer got up slowly and stiffly.
"Thanks.

I'll think it over.

It's a big thing, as you say, and it will either make you--" -- "Or break me!" said Sir Stephen, but he laughed confidently.
Falconer nodded.
"I'll go up now," he said.
Sir Stephen went to the door with him, and held out his hand.
"Good-night, Falconer!" he said.

"Thank you--for my boy's sake!" Falconer took the warm hand in his cold one and held it for a moment, then dropped it.
"Good-night!" he said, with a nod and a sidelong glance.
Sir Stephen went back and poured himself out another _liqueur_ glass of brandy and heaved a sigh of relief.