His father must surely have read his little letter by now, and forgiven him.

But the smile died away again, as he met the old man's eyes; they were as hard as steel; his clean-shaven lips were set like a trap, and, though he looked at his son, it seemed that he did not see him.

He passed through the screens and went down the steps into the court.
The boy's heart began to beat so as near to sicken him after his long fast and his ride.

He told himself that his father could not have been into the parlour yet, though he knew, even while he thought it, that this was false comfort.

He stood there an instant, waiting; hoping that even now his father would call to him; but the strong figure passed resolutely on out of sight.
Then the boy went into the hall, and swiftly through it.