"Lawrence, forgive me, forgive me! Take me away. I never loved any one but you. Forgive me!"
He made no answer or any sign.
"Let me go with you, somewhere, out of this place; let us go away together, we two. I have never loved any one but you—never any one but you, but you!"
She broke into a passion of sobs. When she looked up, it was to meet the white face of Gabriel Cassilis. He was stooping over her, his hands spread out helplessly, his form quivering, his lips trying to utter something; but no sound came through them. Beyond stood Lawrence, still with the look of watchful determination which had broken down her rage. Then she sprang to her feet.
"You here? Then you know all. It is true; that is my legal husband. For two years and more my life has been a lie. Stand back, and let me go to my husband!"
But he stood between Colquhoun and herself. Lawrence saw with a sudden terror that something had happened to the man. He expected an outburst of wrath, but no wrath came. Gabriel Cassilis turned his head from one to the other, and presently said, in a trembling voice—
"A fine day, and seasonable weather for the time of year."
"Good God!" cried Lawrence, "you have destroyed his reason!"
Gabriel Cassilis shook his head, and began again—
"A fine day, and seasonable——"