The offer was made on the impulse of the moment, out of sympathy with the mother rather than out of regard for the son.
"No, no, I could not bear to lose him again—so soon. What would my life be like if you were both gone? I should lapse into the old loneliness—and solitude would bring back the old dreams—the old vain longing——"
These last words were murmured brokenly, in self-communion.
Allan left her, and she went back to the music-room, where Geoffrey had seated himself at the piano, and was playing a Spanish dance by Sarasate, for the edification of the spaniel, who looked agonized.
"What have you been saying to Carew, mother?" he asked, stopping in the middle of a phrase.
"Nothing of any importance. Allan is going to Central Africa with a friend he met in Suffolk—a Mr. Patrington."
"A Mr. Patrington? I suppose you mean Cecil Patrington?"
"Yes, that is the name."
CHAPTER III.
"I GO TO PROVE MY SOUL."