CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE TABLES TURNED.
In the first shock of the vision I did not realize to its full extent the profoundness of my brother’s villainy or of my own loss. Indeed, for the moment I was so numbed with amazement as to find place for no darker sentiment in my breast.
“Why, it’s Renny!” said Zyp, and my heart actually rose with a brief exultation to hear my name on her lips once more.
The game once taken out of his hands, Jason, with characteristic sang froid, withdrew into the background, prepared to let the waters of destiny thunder over his head.
The very complication of the situation reacted upon him in such manner, I think, as to brace him up to a single defiance of fate. From the moment Zyp appeared he was almost his brazen self again.
“Zyp,” I muttered, “what are you doing here?”
“What a wife generally does in her husband’s house, old fellow—getting in the way.”
It was my brother who spoke, and in a moment the truth burst upon me.
“You are married?” I said.
“Yes,” said Zyp; “this is our baby.”