"I hold your place, and all that it means in the way of money and power; but I'm alone in the world, worse than alone; for Percy, my only son, I tell you--by Heaven, there is not a morning I wake that I do not dread to hear that he has done something to disgrace the name he bears.
Wilfred, if you've a mind to take it all back----" He stretched out his hands with a gesture of renunciation, almost an eager, anticipatory relief.
Mr.Clendon shook his head.

"No," he said, resolutely, "you must continue to bear the burden I have imposed upon you, Talbot; and I beg you to believe me, fully and undoubtingly, that I shall never relieve you of your responsibilities, which you have borne so well.

Oh, of course, I have watched.

I know how admirably you have filled your place, and where I should have failed.

Fate, Providence knew better than I what was best for me, for all of us, when it drove me out of the world." "Tell me, why can't you tell me, why you disappeared ?" demanded the Marquess.