“The correspondence is all finished,” said Paul, “and if you have no further use for me I will go home.”
Scott replied that he no longer needed him, and Paul took his leave.
He did not hear all the conversation which passed between Scott and the stranger, but he had heard some remarks which set him to thinking deeply. He reached home, and sitting down before the grate, fell into a deep reverie.
“It is strange, very strange,” he said. “Good heavens! But pshaw, what a simpleton I am! How I dread the time when it comes. But I must be brave, like—Scott. How very brave he is—a very god in heroism. The woman who cast him off for that hollow headed villain 146 is a fit subject for the lunatic asylum, and her companion a knave of the deepest dye.”
Paul sat for some time in deep thought; then he went to seek June. She was in the parlor entertaining a lady who had called.
CHAPTER XXI.
PAUL AND SCOTT.
The week passed away, and it had been decided that Carrie Horton should spend the remainder of the winter with June.
A light tap was heard at Paul’s door, and Scott entered the room. He seated himself at Paul’s side, and leaning back in his chair, his eyes rested for a moment on Paul’s face. Then he said: