ces."

His father so minutely elaborates each mitigating circumstance, with
such profound array of all interests to be promoted by Oswald's whole
course, that Charles feels an accusing sense. He frankly admits his
error.

Esther's troubled face grows radiant. Sir Donald and Charles exchange
looks. Their talk drifts to lighter subjects.

Esther and Charles are much together. Enthusiastic reminiscences often
are followed by irrelevant questions and vague comments. From pensive
moods Esther rallies with pretty, dissembling, sisterly interest.

All this has a charming pathos for Charles. He shrewdly diagnoses these
symptoms. With much brotherly craft Charles approves of Oswald Langdon's
erratic courses, speaking hopefully about prospects of full vindication.
Such references electrify Esther. She makes little effort to hide her
glad appreciation. After these sage comments, Esther gazes admiringly
into her brother's face. This ermineless expounder counterfeits much
gowned gravity, looking wisely impartial.

To dispel moody, pensive abstractions requires that oft and anew this
"Daniel come to judgment."

CHAPTER XXI

PIERRE'S SEARCH FOR PAUL

Paul Lanier's crazed caprices grow more frequent. Tractable moods are
now exceptional. Occasional lapses from petulant, domineering tempers to
childish penitence and assurance of future amends greatly relieve
Pierre's harassed mind, but such are rare.

The worried father is powerless to provide against any dreaded
disclosures or notoriety. All disguises and secretive craft seem void of
availing use, subject to such irresponsible, persistent crazes.

Pierre may not flee. Distracted by his son's emotional outlawry and
fearful infatuation, Pierre Lanier has no desire to forsake the crazed
Paul. He will risk ignominious arrest and gallows' accounting rather
than leave this insane youth to his fate.

At times is felt a certain sense of dogged resignation. This cautious,
crafty, resourceful schemer becomes strangely quiescent. With this
stoical temper come moods of questioning reflection. He mutters:

"How fearfully void have been my plans and dubious courses! To what
purpose was a trusting partner duped by hypocritical sympathy, lured to
bankrupt's expedients and goaded to self-murder? Wherein consisted worth
of embezzled funds? For whose advantage was the guileless ward defrauded
out of princely inheritance? That villainous sham suit and those Thames
murders, of what av