"Say good-night to Mrs. Senter for me," went on Emily to us both.
"Yes," said Sir Lionel. But I don't think he had heard.
Mrs. Norton swished silkily out. The door shut. I braced myself, and looked up at him. His eyes were on my face, and they were full of light. I supposed it must be righteous anger; but it was a beautiful look—too good to waste on such a passion, even a righteous form of it.
"You poor child," he said in a low voice, standing quite near me. "You have gone through a great deal."
I started as if he had shot me—that way of beginning was so different from anything I had expected.
"Wh-what do you mean?" I stammered.
"That I always knew you were brave, but that you're a hundred times braver than I thought you. Dick has come back. He has brought with him a girl and a man from Scotland—bride and groom."
All the strength went out of me. I felt as if my body had turned to liquid and left only my brain burning, and my heart throbbing. But I didn't fall. I fancy I caught the back of a tall chair, and held on for dear life.
"Ellaline," I murmured.
"Yes, Ellaline," he said. "Thank God, you are not Ellaline."