ster of the situation, and determined to be
paternal.

"My dear lad," he said, "you have dreamed yourself mad at Lewes. When
did you come to London?"

"Yesterday," said Chris, still with that strange stare.

"Why, then--" began Ralph.

"Yes--you think I was too late, but I saw it," said Chris; "I was there
in the evening and saw it all again."

All his nervous tension seemed relaxed by the warm common-sense
atmosphere of this trim little room, and his brother's composure. His
lips were beginning to tremble, and he half turned and gripped the
mantel-shelf with his right hand. Ralph noticed with a kind of
contemptuous pity how the heavy girded folds of the frock seemed to
contain nothing, and that the wrist from which the sleeve had fallen
back was slender as a reed. Ralph felt himself so infinitely his
brother's superior that he could afford to be generous and kindly.

"Dear Chris," he said, smiling, "you look starved and miserable. Shall I
tell Morris to bring you something? I thought you monks fared better
than that."

In a moment Chris was on his knees on the rushes; his hands gripped his
brother's arms, and his wild eyes were staring up with a fanatical fire
of entreaty in them. His words broke out like a torrent.

"Ralph," he said, "dear brother! for Jesu's sake, come away! I have
heard everything. I know that these streets are red with blood, and that
your hands have been dipped in it. You must not lose your soul. I know
everything; you must come away. For Jesu's sake!"

Ralph tore himself free and stood up, pushing back his chair.

"Godbody!" he said, "I have a fool for a brother. Stand up, sir. I will
have no mumming in my house."

He rapped his foot fiercely on the floor, staring down at Chris who had
thrown himself back on his heels.

"Stand up, sir," he said again.

"Will you hear me, brother?"

Ralph hesitated.

"I will hear you if you will talk reason. I think you are mad."

Chris got up again. He was trembling violently, and his hands twitched
and clenched by his sides.

"Then you shall hear me," he said, and his voice shook as he spoke. "It
is this--"

"You must sit down," interrupted Ralph, and he pointed to the chair
behind.

Chris went to it and sat down. Ralph took a step across to the door and
opened it.

"Morris," he called, and came back to his chair.

There was silence a moment or two, till the servant's step sounded in
the hall, and the door opened. Mr. Morris's discre