Schuyler clutched at his strong fingers.
"Don't be long, Tom," he begged, whispering.
"Only a moment," returned Blake, so low that only he might hear. Blake knew that he needed time to regain his self-command. He took Muriel by the hand. "Come, Kate," he suggested.
Kathryn shook her head.
"Leave us for a moment," she urged.
"Do you think it best?"
She bent her head. Taking the child, Blake left the room. And slowly
Kathryn again went to Schuyler's side.
"John, dear," she said, softly.
His head fell again to his hands.
"I can bear no more, Kathryn," he whispered, weakly. "Oh, God, how great is Thy goodness! The shame of it all! The shame! The utter, utter shame! … And you, Kathryn, can forgive!"