"So you have come," he said. There was a touch of satisfaction in his tone. She knelt down beside him and took his hand. "Talk to me," he murmured.
Kitty and Brian, who had entered with Angela, marvelled at the request. They marvelled more when she complied with it in a curiously undoubting way. It seemed as if she understood his needs, his peculiarities, even his sins, exactly. She spoke of the holiest things in a simple, direct way, which evidently appealed to something within him; for, though he did not respond, he lay with his eyes fixed upon her face, and gave no sign of discontent.
At last he sighed, and bade her stop.
"It's all wrong," he said, wearily. "I had forgotten. I ought to have a priest."
"There is one waiting downstairs," said Brian.
Hugo started at the voice.
"So you are there?" he said. "Oh, it's no use. No priest would absolve me until—until——"
"Yes: until what?" said Angela. But he made no answer.
Presently, however, he pressed her hand, and murmured:—
"You were always good to me."