You took his part against father!" Ambrose had nothing to say.

He could have groaned aloud in his helplessness to avert the catastrophe that he saw coming.
It was as if a horrible, black-shrouded shape had stepped between him and Colina.
She, too, was aware of it.

For an age-long moment they stared at each other with a kind of chilled terror.
Neither dared speak of what both were thinking.
At last Colina tried to wave the hideous fantom away.
"Ah, we mustn't quarrel now!" she said tremulously.

"Couldn't the man be overtaken and the skin recovered ?" "Possibly," admitted Ambrose.

"I wouldn't advise it." Colina, freshly affronted, struggled with her anger.
"Let me explain," said Ambrose.