which might seem almost childish in a
man of his age and character, and of such a stern, black-bearded
exterior; but he was anything but stern now.

Presently his eyes ceased to wander. He sat perfectly still. The
conviction had seized him that he could not possibly do without her; and
as he looked slowly about him a great terror seemed to be taking
possession of him. He imagined that she was really gone--that in some
way or another he had really lost her, and that everything in the room
was standing just as she had left it, and as it would stand unmoved,
undusted for ever.

"I have deserved it," he muttered; and a cold perspiration came out upon
his forehead. "Have I treated her in such a way that I have any right to
expect her to care for me? Is it not just my own folly that is to blame?
She was right--more than right. I have behaved shamefully to her,
suspiciously, and tyrannically--invariably, unceasingly; and now I may
sit here long enough and repent it, to no purpose. She would not be what
she is if she tamely submitted to such treatment."

He dwelt upon this last thought until the scales seemed to drop from his
eyes, and, acknowledging the truth at last, he broke out with bitter
scorn against himself--

"The fact is, in my cursed pride I have never been able to bear the
thought that she might have been better off--that I was not good enough
for her, not fit for her; that is what has been at the bottom of it all:
and as I would not acknowledge that, I have insisted always to myself
that I could not trust her.

"Do I really believe this?" he asked himself then slowly, and fell into
thought again, his face growing darker and darker every minute.

"What a good-natured booby, fool, idiot, I am!" he cried, with a
scornful laugh. "No, it is she who has been false and untruthful, she
who must acknowledge it, she who is bound to give me, once for all, full
explanation. Yes, it is she who must bend, and then she may have some
claim to hear from me what I too may have to reproach myself for in my
acts or bearing towards her. That is how it is, and that is how it shall
be!"

A hard, inexorable look overspread his face as he said this; but for a
moment he appeared almost moved again--

"I shall speak kindly to her--be so gentle--forget everything.

"But bend she shall," he added; and that decision was evidently final.

CHAPTER XXX.

That evening was passed by Elizabeth in a terrible struggle with
hersel