"But, if Lady Carset gives hers?"
"Then I can safely promise mine."
Again the smile came, and pierced Hepworth like an arrow.
"Now I will intrude here no longer," he said, taking his hat from the ground where it had been lying.
"It is better so, inhospitable as you may think me for saying it. Lady Hope will be grieved, I know."
"I am her only relative," said Closs, with deep feeling.
"I know it; but we are all making sacrifices. I am, certainly, in wishing you farewell."
Hope reached out his hand. It was clear he wished Closs to go without further leave-taking. Closs understood the motion.
"I will not pain my sister with a farewell. Explain this as you please, or say that I will write—unless that is prohibited. As for the young lady, I shall never seek her again under your roof; but the time may come when I shall assert the right which every man has to choose for himself, and win the lady of his love, if he can. Meantime, Lady Clara is free as air. Tell her so."
With these words Hepworth Closs turned resolutely from the house in which he had tasted pure happiness for the first time in his life, and went away.