He took no notice of these indifferent words.
"This time," he said, "it is altogether different. I know what is going to happen, and I am not afraid. But it must come to an end."
What was it to her if it came to an end or not? She tried to check the quick-rising sympathy, to offer no response.
"They will be late on the water, but I hope they will get home before dark," she replied.
Then he looked at her wistfully, with a look that melted her very heart.
"Don't you know that it will never come to an end unless you stand by me?" he cried.
CHAPTER XIV.
Mrs. Forrester was most willing to put Hamish and the boat, or anything else she possessed, at Lord Erradeen's service. "It is just the most sensible thing you could do," she said. "They will be very late, and half of them will have colds. Oona, you will just let Hamish know. But Lord Erradeen, since you are here, will you not stay a little longer, and get your dinner before you go? No? Well, I will not say another word if it is not convenient. Just tell Hamish, Oona, my dear."
Walter followed her so closely when she went upon that mission that she could not escape him. They stood together in the grey of the evening light, upon the beach, while Hamish prepared the boat, Oona's mind in a tumult of apprehension and resistance, with an insidious softness behind, which she felt with despair was betraying her over again into the folly she had surmounted. He had not the same commotion in his mind; his thoughts were altogether bent on what was coming. She was his confidant, his support in it, though he had not said a word to her. He took her into account in the matter as a man takes his wife. She was a part of it all, though it was not of her he was thinking. He spoke after a moment in a tone full of this curious claim, which seemed to him at the moment incontestable.