"I believe that they are," I replied gravely.
He rose and paced the floor a while. Then he sat down again, and drew his chair nearer mine, as if impelled by some sudden resolve.
"Since you will not give me your confidence—" he began.
"Since I can not," I corrected quietly.
"Well, since you can not or will not, I shall give you mine instead, and open for your inspection a page of my life which I fancied was closed forever."
He paused, and an expression so sad and troubled crossed his face that, in my deep pity, I almost regretted my promise to Niall.
"I was brought up," he went on, "in the neighborhood of the Dargle. That beautiful glen and stream were alike familiar to me. I inhabited an old family mansion, which, to say the least, stood sadly in need of repair. I was under the guardianship of a kinsman who, though eccentric, was of sterling worth."
There was a touch of emotion in his voice, as he thus referred to Niall, which pleased me.
"When I was about twenty-three we had a serious difference of opinion, which arose in part from my marriage. For at that time I married a very beautiful girl, who lived only a few years, and left one child—a girl."
He hurried over this part of the story, which seemed deeply painful to him.