Hugo assented, with a sort of stifled groan.
"I was forced to tell her, in order to put her on her guard. But if you obey me, I will tell no one else. I have not even told Brian. If I find that you return to your evil courses, I shall keep the secret of your conduct no longer. Then, when Brian comes home, he can reckon with you."
"Brian!" ejaculated Hugo.
"Yes: Brian. What I require from you is that you trouble Netherglen no more. I cannot think of you with peace in my mother's house. You will leave it to-night—at once."
"Yes," Hugo muttered. He had no desire to return to Netherglen.
"I am going to Dunmuir," said Dino. "You can walk on with me."
Hugo made no opposition. He turned his face vaguely in the specified direction, and moved onward; but the sound of Dino's voice, clear and cold, gave him a thrill of shame, amounting to positive physical pain.
"Walk before me, if you please. I cannot trust you."
They walked on: Hugo a pace or two in front, Dino behind. Not a word was spoken between them until they reached the chief street of Dunmuir, and then Dino called to him to pause. They were standing in front of Mr. Colquhoun's door.
"You are not going in here?" said Hugo, with a sharp note of terror in his voice. "You will not tell Colquhoun?"