"Yes," said Austin.
"I was right then. It was a matter of life and death."
"It was," said he. "So is this."
She looked again from one face to the other, rose, hesitated for a moment--and then held out her hand. "I am willing to trust you, Austin," she said.
He touched her hand with his lips and said gravely: "I will not fail your trust."
As soon as she had gone he went to the chair where Dick sat in gloomy remorse and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Well?" said he.
"I agree," Dick groaned, without looking up. "I have no alternative. I appreciate your generosity."
Then Austin spoke of the appointment in Vancouver. He explained how the idea had occurred to him; how Viviette had come late the night before to tell him of what he had never before suspected--Dick's desire to go abroad; how they had conspired to give him a birthday surprise; how they had driven over to Witherby to send the telegram to Lord Overton. And as he spoke, Dick looked at him with a new ghastliness on his face.
"This afternoon--in the dining-room--when you said that Viviette had told you everything--?"