"Calm yourself," said Sir Timothy. "And besides, so far as I am concerned, your pleading for Peter is unnecessary."
"You have forgiven him?" she cried joyfully, yet almost incredulously.
He paused, and then said with solemnity: "I have forgiven him, Mary. It is not the moment for me to cherish resentment, least of all against my only son."
"Ah, thank God! Then you will come to Southampton?"
"That is impossible. But I will telegraph my forgiveness and the blessing which he has not sought that he may receive it before the ship sails."
"I am grateful to you for doing even so much as that, Timothy, and for not being angry. Then I must go alone?"
"No, no."
"Understand me," said Lady Mary, in a low voice, "for I am in earnest. I have never deceived you. I will not defy you in secret, like Peter; but I will go and bid my only son God-speed, though the whole world conspired to prevent me. I will go!"
There was a pause.
"You speak," said Sir Timothy, resentfully, "as though I had habitually thwarted your wishes."