t he stepped back.

"I bid you sit down," he said. "Ralph, will you help us?"

Ralph stood up instantly. He had not stirred a muscle as Nick shouted at
him.

"I waited for that, sir," he said. "What is it you would have me do?"

Beatrice saw that his face was quite quiet as he spoke; his eyelids
drooped a little; and his mouth was tight and firm. He seemed not to be
aware of Nicholas's presence.

"To hinder the play-acting," said his father.

There fell a dead silence again.

"I will do it, sir," said his son. "It--it is but decent."

And in the moment of profound astonishment that fell, he came straight
across the room, passed by them all without turning his head, and went
out.

Beatrice felt a fierce emotion grip her throat as she looked after him,
and saw the door close. Then Margaret seized her again, and she turned
to quiet her.

She was aware that Sir James had gone out after his son, after a moment
of silence, and she heard his footsteps pass along the flags outside.

"Oh! God bless him!" sobbed Margaret.

Sir James came back immediately, shook his head, went across the room,
and sat down in the seat that Ralph had left. A dreadful stillness fell.
Margaret was quiet now. Mary was sitting with her husband on the other
side of the hearth. Chris rose presently and sat down by his father, but
no one spoke a word.

Then Nicholas got up uneasily, came across the room, and stood with his
back to the hearth warming himself. Beatrice saw him glance now and
again to the shadowed window-seat where the two men sat; he hummed a
note or two to himself softly; then turned round and stared at the fire
with outstretched hands.

The bell rang for prayers, and still without a word being spoken they
all got up and went out.

In the same silence they came back. Ralph's servant was standing by the
door as they entered.

"If you please, sir, Mr. Ralph is come in. He bade me tell you that all
is arranged."

The old man looked at him, swallowed once in his throat; and at last
spoke.

"It is arranged, you say? It will not take place?"

"It will not take place, sir."

"Where is Mr. Ralph?"

"He is gone to his room, sir. He bade me tell you he would be leaving
early for London."

CHAPTER VI

A CATASTROPHE

Ralph rode away early next morning, yet not so early as to escape an
interview with his father. They met in the hall, Sir James in his loose
morning gown and Ralph booted and spurred with his shor