“He is so weak yet, Mr Vine,” she said, taking and separating their hands.
“Madelaine—my child!”
“Mr Vine may come again in the evening for a little while,” said Madelaine, smiling, as she bent down, and kissed her father’s brow.
“So stern and tyrannical,” protested Van Heldre.
“Only to make you well, father,” replied Madelaine smiling; and she led their old friend from the room.
“He spoke as if he wanted my forgiveness,” said Vine as he walked slowly back, noting as they went the kindly deference paid to them by those they met.
“Mr Van Heldre, father?” said Louise gently.
“Did I speak aloud, my child?”
“Yes, dear.”
“Ah, these thoughts are too keen, and will not be crushed down. Yes, child, yes. My forgiveness, when it is I who should plead, for all the honours of the past, plead for his forgiveness, Louise. He must have suffered terribly to be brought down to this.”