For a while they looked at one another silently; one pale, sweating with terror, the other calm and grave as usual. At last Don Sebastian spoke, hoarsely.
'Did she—did she love you?'
'Oh, my brother, forgive her. It was long ago—and she repented bitterly. And I—I!'
'I have forgiven you.'
The words were said so strangely that the archbishop shuddered. What did he mean?
Don Sebastian smiled.
'You have no cause for anxiety. From now it is finished. I will forget.' And, opening the door, he helped his brother across the threshold. The archbishop's hand was clammy as a hand of death.
When Don Sebastian bade his brother good-night, he kissed him on either cheek.
VI