“My vows—“ I stopped and stared at him. He had risen and laid his hand on my shoulder.
“You see now what I would be at,” he said quietly. “I must take your place presently—“
“My place—?”
“When my wife comes down. You understand me.”
“Ah, now you are quite mad!” I cried breaking away from him.
“Am I?” he returned, maintaining his strange composure. “Consider a moment. She has not confessed to you before since our return from Milan—“
“Her ill-health—“
He cut me short with a gesture. “Yet to-day she sends for you—“
“In order that she may receive the sacrament with you on the eve of your first separation.”
“If that is her only reason her first words will clear her. I must hear those words, Egidio!”