Then with a look of reproach at Mona he turned aside and went out of the room.
He stepped back to the study, and there the Deemster was still tramping to and fro.
"Simpleton, simpleton, to expect a woman to acknowledge her own dishonor," the Deemster cried.
Ewan did not answer at once; but in silence he reached up to where the pistol hung over the mantel-shelf and took it down.
"What are you doing?" cried the Deemster.
"She has acknowledged it," said Ewan, still in a suppressed whisper.
For a moment the Deemster was made speechless and powerless by that answer. Then he laid hold of his son's hand and wrenched the pistol away.
"No violence," he cried.
He was now terrified at the wrath that his own evil passions had aroused; he locked the pistol in a cabinet.
"It is better so," said Ewan, and in another moment he was going out at the porch.