“That’s rather sudden, isn’t it?” he said.
“Yes. It’s very sudden. What happened last night was sudden and what it wrought in me.”
“And so I’m to be left without my—my librarian at a moment’s notice?” said Colin.
“It would make no difference if I stopped,” said Douglas. “I could never do my office again.”
Colin laid his hand on the priest’s shoulder, and put into his manner all the whining charm which was his.
“My dear fellow,” he said, “you mustn’t think that I’m unsympathetic. You’ve had a frightful shock, and it has absolutely upset your nerves. It has had no effect on mine, as you see, but I quite understand that you’re all abroad to-day. Now take a complete holiday for a month, and don’t go near the—the library. We’re having a divine spring, May is delicious down here. And then after a month you’ll find you’re yourself again.”
Douglas shook his head.
“I couldn’t possibly stop here,” he said.
“Well, then, go out to Capri for a month or so. The villa is at your disposal, and, of course, you’ll be my guest, though I shan’t be there.”
“That is kind of you,” said Douglas, “but I couldn’t do that either. I must go.”