"Mother," he murmured, "have you nothing to say to me? Have you no kind of welcome to offer to-night?"
The words were pleading and almost passionate, but seemingly they did not move Mrs. Rent at all.
"I am at a loss to understand why you are here," she said.
"Why I am here?" Arnold echoed. "Where else could I go? When you have heard all the circumstances of the case——"
"I have heard them already. Mr. Westlake came down on purpose to tell me. Come and stand here where I can see you—where the light shines full upon your face."
Arnold Rent came obediently a step or two forward.
"Strange," the mother murmured. "You have not altered. To all outward appearances you are still the man of honour and integrity you used to be. And yet you can commit this crime and come here to boast of it without the shadow of remorse, even without a word of apology. It seems incredible."
"But what apology should I make?" Arnold demanded. "What have I done that you should speak to me like this?"
"You ask me what you have done! Are you so blind as not to see the results of your indiscretion?"
Kate Charlock raised her head suddenly.