'Not quite. But you do not know how he talked before he went away.Nor what sort of a letter I shall be sure to write. I shall tell him that as it distracted my attention to run counter to two people'
'You will write a very gentle and careful one. He loves you very much, Hazel. Which was one reason why he was so unwilling that you and I should get acquainted.'
Wych Hazel looked up at him with absolute terror in her face.
'What do you mean?' she said.
'It is not very strange. I have the greatest respect for Mr. Falkirk and not the less because he had sense enough to love you a little too well. Do you remember your making him go to Catskill?'
Wych Hazel's head went down on her hands, without a word; but outside the shielding fingers the distressful colour shewed itself in every possible place. Remember!what did she not remember? things she had done, things she had said.
'He was afraid,' Dane went on smiling, 'that if I had a chance to see you I might choose to take the conditions of the will; he had good reason to fear! You must write him the dutifullest, gentlest, lovingest letter, Hazel; and lay off the blame of everything upon the shoulders that can bear it. Mr. Falkirk knows me. And if, by and by, we could coax him to come and make his home with us, I should be happy.'
'And everybody knew it but me!'said Hazel, thinking out. 'It is good I can do no more mischief.'
'What is that?' said Dane laughing. 'What mischief have you done?'
'HushI was talking to myself. But oh, I am so sorry!' Looks and tones and words and recollections were pouring in upon her like a flood.
'What are you sorry for? You need not be sorry, my little Wych,' said he, changing his tone with the last words. 'You have done him good and given him pleasure for so many years; and I am not without hope that both good and pleasure will be renewed and continued to the end of his life. So write a nice letter to him. And come to dinner in the first place.'