‘If you write to me to come,’ he answered, ‘if you are quite sure that my presence will be acceptable to you and yours——’ and in his turn he hesitated.
‘I understand,’ said the antiquary gently. ‘I shall think of others for the future, as well as of myself, if only’ (here he gave a mournful smile) ‘to distract my thoughts from what is painful.’
‘There is sunshine still behind the clouds,’ said Dennis, as he shook hands.
‘True, true,’ replied the other; then added to himself with a deep sigh as he closed the door after his visitor, ‘for you, but not for me.’
CHAPTER XXXV.
FAREWELL.
Not a single night did Margaret sleep away from her uncle’s roof. He went in person to Mr. Wallis’s house and claimed her. The apology he had schooled himself to make to that gentleman was stayed upon the threshold of his lips.
‘Your face, Mr. Erin, tells me all that I need and more than I wish to hear,’ said the kindly lawyer. ‘Pray spare yourself and me.’