The other glared at him for a moment; then he said, “If you wish to die, sir, choose some way that will not drag my daughter to disgrace.”
Frank’s gaze had turned to the girl. “Sylvia,” he exclaimed, “I tell you that I went to that place——”
“Stop!” almost shouted the Major.
“Major Castleman,” said Frank, “Allow me to speak to your daughter. It has been——”
Sylvia was clutching her father in terror. She knew that he had a weapon, and was on the point of using it; she knew also that she had not the physical force to prevent him. She cried hysterically, “Go! Go away!”
And Frank looked at her—a last look, that she never forgot all the days of her life. “You mean it, Sylvia?” he asked, his voice breaking.
“I mean it!” she answered.
“Forever?”
For the smallest part of a second she hesitated. “Forever!” commanded her father; and she echoed, “Forever!” Frank turned, without another word, and was gone in the darkness; and Sylvia fell into her father’s arms, convulsed with an agony that shook her frame.