Campbell had not spoken a word during Ducie's recital, but at her last remark he started as if shocked, and then said: "You have told me the truth, Ducie?"
"Nothing but the truth. Ask Jepson."
"I believe you. Go back to your mistress, and as soon as it is possible tell her I was at the door but not allowed to enter."
Then he went slowly downstairs, and the talking and exclamations ceased sharply and suddenly when he entered the dining-room, for his face, and his intentional silence, was like that which Isabel had not inaptly compared to a black frost.
After a short interval, during which he had frozen every one dumb, he looked steadily at Mrs. Campbell and said:
"Mother, I am amazed at what I hear."
"You may well be amazed, Robert," was the answer. "I myself am nearly distracted," and then she told her story, with much skill and all the picturesque idioms she fell naturally into when under great emotion. Her son listened to her as he had listened to Ducie, without question or comment. He was trying to weigh everything justly, for justice was in his opinion the cardinal virtue.
"The dispute arose, then, concerning Dr. Robertson's visit to Theodora?" he asked.
"Yes. I had a right to know why he called, and she would not tell me."
"Theodora had no right to tell you. Out of kindness the reason for his visit had been kept from you. I will tell you now. He wished Theodora to sing at the New Year's service, and he called to see what her selection would be."