"It is I, surely, who must take, that blame on myself," said Lord Evelyn, sadly. "But for me, how could you have been led into joining the Society?"
"Neither she nor you have anything to reproach yourselves
with. What was my life worth to me when I joined? Then for a time I saw a vision of what may yet be in the world—of what will be, please God; and what does it matter if one here or one there falls out of the ranks?—the great army is moving on: and for a time there were others visions. Poor Natalie!—I am glad her mother has come to her at last."
He rose.
"I wish I could offer you a bed here," Lord Evelyn said.
"I have a great many things to arrange to-night," he answered, simply. "Perhaps I may not be able to get to bed at all."
Lord Evelyn hesitated.
"When can I see you to-morrow?" he said at length. "You know I am going to Lind the first thing in the morning."
Brand stopped abruptly.
"I must absolutely forbid your doing anything of the kind," said he, firmly. "This is a matter of the greatest secrecy; there is to be no talking about it; I have given you some hint, and the same I shall give to Natalie, and there an end." He added, "Your interference would be quite useless, Evelyn. The matter is not in Lind's hands."