There were tears in the duke's eyes as he answered. "Alas!" he said, "it is too late, I would not change even if I could, I must be true to myself."
"God help you, preserve you, and forgive you," Lord Camborne replied with lifted hand. "And now good-bye, in this world we shall not meet again. I will send Constance to you. Do not keep her long. Remember that you have an old man's blessing."
With his hand over his eyes the bishop went from the room. More than once he stumbled in his walk. He was weeping.
It was awful to see that high and stately old man stricken, to see that white and honourable head bowed in sorrow and farewell.
Lady Constance came into the room. She was very pale, her eyes were swollen as if she also had been weeping.
She went straight up to the duke, tall and erect as a dart, and held out her hand to him.
"John," she said. "I've come to say good-bye. Father has allowed me five minutes and no more. Father is terribly shaken."
He held her hand in his for a moment. She was very beautiful, very patrician, a true daughter of the race from which she had sprung.
"Then it is really all over, Constance?" he said with great sadness.
"It must be all over for you and me," she answered.