He had not time to say more, for Florence, although she had not heard what had passed had caught its sense, and she now glided swiftly to his side, and clung close to his arm.
"Go home, dearest," he said. "I am going to walk with your father to the station."
"We will walk with you," said Florence, and then in an imploring tone, "Do not send me away from you till the last moment!"
"Why, Florence, my love," said Reginald, as if in surprise, but here Aunt Rob interposed.
"There must be no more secrets. Don't keep anything from us, father. Tell us the worst; we can bear it."
Uncle Rob looked at Reginald, who nodded, and passed his arm round Florence's waist.
"Lambert has been talking to me," said Uncle Rob; "he has behaved very considerately, and asked me to break it to you." His voice faltered. "He has a warrant for Reginald's arrest. Courage, my dears, courage!"
This little party, at whom so terrible a blow was dealt, now stood apart and alone, and what they said could be heard only by themselves. Aunt Rob drew a long breath.
"It's what we've been waiting for," she said, "and it had to come. Reginald will face it like a man, and will fling the lie into their faces. Keep a stout heart, my lad."
"If I suffer," he replied, "it is because of the grief I have brought into my dear Florence's life."