"He didn't want you to blame yourself."
"No; I don't think that was it. But it's a blow to us both, and the worst is I can do nothing to soften it for you."
"You loved him," she said with a look of pain. "You came home from Canada and fought Williamson for his sake. I was often impatient with him, and he always bore it well. He was generous and forgiving—and we know he was brave. He must have known the risk he ran—but he didn't hesitate. I knew it—and I sent him—"
Her voice trailed off and she broke into stormy sobbing, while Andrew, with his arm around her, awkwardly tried to comfort her. His touch seemed to have a soothing influence, for Elsie got calmer.
"You were always a help, Andrew; one turns to you in trouble," she said. "But I mustn't give way like this."
She rose as she spoke, and when she left him Andrew went up to Whitney's room.
"I expect Miss Woodhouse feels the thing keenly," Whitney said.
"Yes; in fact, she feels much as I do, in spite of what the doctor said. If Dick hadn't gone to our rescue, he'd have been with us yet. Still, I don't quite understand—"
"You don't see why she let him go, when she thought it might be dangerous?"
"Yes; that's what bothers me," Andrew said with some hesitation.