'Agnes, I have been patient, I have been gentle. That was my mistake.'
'Perhaps, father, it would have been better if you had acted differently at first, a long time ago. But I'm sure that the present is no time for anger. I know that it was on my account, that it was to save me, that you—that you—you know what I mean.'
'You're right, Agnes. My mistake began long ago. But you must not judge me harshly. You do not know, you cannot realise what my position has been in this house. I could do nothing. When a man has lost his money——'
'I do not judge you, father, nor mother either. It is not for me to judge. I am ignorant of the world and wish to remain ignorant of it. I always felt that it would be best so, now I am sure of it.'
'Agnes, it is too soon for you to judge. This house—'
'She's gone to meet that man; but she shall not. She shall not! I swear it! … That man, I'll take him by the throat. I ought to have done so long ago; but it is not too late.'
'Father, let us say a prayer together; I have not said one with you since I was a little child. Will you kneel down with me and say a prayer for mother?'
She stretched out her hand to him, and they knelt down together in the drawing-room. Agnes said:
'Oh, my God, we offer up an our Our Father and Hail Mary that thou may'st give us all grace to overcome temptation.'
The Major repeated the prayers after his daughter, and, when they rose from their knees, Agnes said: