'That will be done—at least, the wrong will be ended when you have taken him the letter.'
'No, uncle, for he cares far more for you than he ever cared for Loring. He longs for your love again—your confidence. Will you not make some advance to him, as he has made so many which you have ignored? Think—it is in your power to make these later years of his life happy instead of sad! Can you be so hard-hearted as not to do it?'
The squire walked away to the window, where he stood, turning his back upon his niece,—silently fighting with his feelings.
Catherine watched him, and prayed.
At last the answer came, in a voice unlike the squire's usual harsh accents.
'You shall take the letter, and you may tell John I—am sorry. I shall be in Beverbridge this evening, at the club quite near you. You can send for me if—if John wants me.'
CHAPTER XV
As God Willed
'Let me be driven down, and let your carriage wait to bring Uncle Jack back to you as soon as he has read Loring's letter. Don't you know him better than to think that he will be content to wait to answer you until this evening?' pleaded the girl, with an odd little choke in her voice.