“That’s a lie, at least,” groaned Jack. “I know her better than you.”
“No matter,” said Gideon Rolfe, coldly. “Time will heal a disappointed love; no time can heal an undying shame.”
Jack rose and paced the room.
“Leave me alone for a few minutes,” he said hoarsely. “I must think this out; nothing you can say can influence me.”
At a signal from Stephen, Gideon Rolfe remained silent.
Five minutes passed and then Jack came to the light.
The handsome face was haggard and white and so changed that ten years might have passed over his head in those few minutes.
“Mr. Rolfe,” he said, and his voice was broken and hollow, “why you bear me such deadly enmity I cannot imagine, and you will not tell me?”
Gideon Rolfe made a gesture of assent.
“It is a mystery to me; I only know its results. Once more I ask you to relent, and spare the unhappiness of both of us.”