“He is ill, and the doctor says that he is not fit to stand any excitement. That is why I have hastened to meet you,” he answered quickly.
“What has happened? Is he dangerously ill?” she asked, and her voice shook with fear.
“No. He is out of danger. Shall we go to your cabin? I have a lot to tell you,” he asked; and Lady Mildred led the way.
Edward Drake stood and faced them, and they could see the deep lines brought to his face by grief and pain. But his voice was steady when he began to tell them all that had happened. It was only when he spoke of his brother’s death that he faltered, and dared not look at Lady Ethel.
“Mr. Gaunt is in no danger, but you must be very careful. Before you go to the Heron I should like to speak to you alone, Lady Mildred.”
Lord Lynton and Lady Ethel moved away, and for the first time Drake glanced at the woman he loved. She was crying quietly, and tears were streaming down her cheeks.
When they had gone, he turned to Lady Mildred, and his face was very grave.
“I think I am justified in breaking a confidence. I have thought deeply, and am sure it is my duty to tell you the reason why your husband has acted as he has done. I am aware that you have felt bitter towards him, but it was because you did not know.”
“Mr. Drake, you need not tell me. I am ashamed of my conduct, and I have come to my husband to ask his forgiveness,” she answered in a low voice.
“Still, I think you should know. Gaunt is a man in a thousand, and I want you to understand his character. He has always loved you passionately from the first time you met, but he was determined to conceal his love until he had won you. He thought he was succeeding until that terrible day when it seemed that in all human probability you would die. Gaunt was in utter despair, and in his agony he turned to God. You must remember that the specialist had told him that there was no hope of your living. He prayed to God, and made a bargain with Him. Gaunt told me the very words he used, and they are imprinted on my memory. ‘Give me the life of my wife, and I swear that every action of my life shall be deliberately thought out, and shall be in accordance with the teaching of Christ.’”