“Certainly, certainly! I don’t wish to give you any unnecessary pain.”
“You are consideration itself.” Hadria stooped to take the child’s hand. The little fingers nestled confidingly in her palm.
“Will you say good-bye, Martha?” asked the Professor, stooping to kiss her. Martha drew away, and struck her father a sturdy blow on the face. She had apparently a vague idea that he had been unkind to her protectress, and that he was an enemy.
“Oh, cruel, cruel! What if I don’t bring her any more toys?” Martha threatened tears.
“Will you allow us to pass?” said Hadria. The Professor stood aside, and the two went, hand in hand, down the narrow path, and through the wicket gate out of the churchyard. Hadria carried still the drooping yellow heartsease that the little girl had given her.
CHAPTER XLVI.
PROFESSOR THEOBALD made his confession to Lady Engleton on that same night, when he also announced that he found it suddenly necessary to return to town.
It was some time before she recovered from her astonishment and horror. He told his story quietly, and without an effort to excuse himself.
“Of course, though I can’t exonerate you, Professor, I blame her more than you,” she said finally, “for her standard in the matter was so different from your’s—you being a man.”