The angry man regarded him silently a moment, then said, with a sigh of baffled rage:
"So be it. I am not now in a position to dictate terms, and must obey your will. You swear to keep Elinor's secret if I do this thing?"
"Yes," Bertram answered.
"I am ready to accompany you, then. Elinor," he turned a furious gaze on his daughter who was weeping nervously near the door; "go to your mother, now. Tell her that you have ruined all my plans, and that I forever curse the hour in which you were born."
She turned away, casting one last look of fiery anger and hatred on the man she had tried to murder, and left the room.
The two men went down together to Richard Leith's room. The lawyer was sitting up in an easy-chair, talking to old Hugh Glenalvan who occupied a chair near the window.
They both looked up in surprise at the unexpected sight of John Glenalvan, whom they had supposed to be far away in hiding somewhere.
Bertram spoke at once, quietly:
"You will pardon this late intrusion, Mr. Glenalvan. This gentleman has an important communication to make to you, and I ventured to bring him at once."
"A communication?" faltered the old man, looking blankly at his son.