"And—and always shall, sir," he answered at last.
"This," said the Major, staring straight before him, "this brings me to a matter I have long wished to touch upon—and desired to tell thee, Tom. For I also thought—that she ... I ... we..."
"Love each other, sir," said the Viscount gently.
"You knew this, Tom?"
"Sir, I guessed it a few days since."
The Major bowed his head and was silent awhile.
"Pancras," said he at last, "'twas none of my seeking. I thought myself too old for love—beyond the age. But Love stole on me all unbeknown, Love gave me back my vanished youth, changed the world into a paradise wherein I, dreaming that she loved me, found a joy, a happiness so great no words may tell of it. And in this paradise I lived until—last night, and last night I found it but the very paradise o' fools, dear lad——"
"Last night!" exclaimed the Viscount, "last night sir?"
"I chanced to walk in the lane, Tom."
The Viscount clenched white hand and smote it on his knee: