Now, then! Why do you think there was something worse ?" "You hinted as much in town: rightly or wrongly I gathered there was something you would never speak about to living man." I turned from him with a groan.
"Ah! but that had nothing to do with Santos." "Are you sure ?" he cried.
"No," I murmured; "it had something to do with him, in a sense; but don't ask me any more." And I leaned my forehead on the high oak mantel-piece, and groaned again.
His hand was upon my shoulder.
"Do tell me," he urged.

I was silent.

He pressed me further.

In my fancy, both hand and voice shook with his sympathy.
"He had a step-daughter," said I at last.
"Yes?
Yes ?" "I loved her.

That was all." His hand dropped from my shoulder.