distress. "If it's
anything that you reproach yourself with, Denis----"

But Asshlin interrupted with a weak echo of his old intolerance.

"Send Clo away!" he said. "There's something I want to say."

Again Milbanke looked helplessly at Clodagh, but her eyes were fixed
passionately on her father's face.

"He'll excite himself more if we cross him," she said hesitatingly. "I
think I'd better go."

Still Milbanke hesitated.

"But the doctor?" he hazarded. "If the doctor insists on quiet----"

She glanced at him quickly, her clear eyes brimming.

"Oh, I don't know!" she exclaimed; "I can't cross him--I can't cross
him! He's wanted you so badly."

She turned quickly towards the bed.

"Father," she said tenderly, "won't you promise not to talk much? Won't
you promise to take care?"

For answer, Asshlin looked up, meeting her glance.

"I'll promise, child--I'll promise. Run away now--and God bless you!"
He added the expressive native phrase in a suddenly lowered voice.

Clodagh bent quickly and kissed his hot, drawn face with passionate
affection; then, as if fearing to trust herself, she turned hastily and
passed out of the room.

Instantly the two men were alone, Asshlin turned to his guest.

"James," he said agitatedly, "I haven't thought much about the Almighty
in these last years; but I give you my word, I have prayed that I might
see you before I die."

"My dear Denis, don't! I beg you not to excite yourself. I implore
you----"

Asshlin made a harsh sound of impatience.

"Don't waste breath over a dying man," he said roughly. Then, seeing
the distress in the other's face, he altered his tone. "Don't take it
to heart, James! It's the road we must all travel. They think there's
life in me yet, but I know better. You may blindfold a sheep as much as
you like, but 'twill know that you're dragging it to the slaughter. I
tell you I'm done for--as done for as if the undertaker had measured me
for the coffin."

He moved his head slightly and painfully, his feverish glance
brightening.

"James," he exclaimed suddenly, "I'm in a terrible position! But
'tisn't death that's troubling me."

"Denis!"

"'Tis true! I'm not frightened of death--I hope I'm man enough to face
a natural law. 'Twould have been better if I'd had to face it thirty
years ago."

"Denis, don't! I beg you to keep quiet----"

"Quiet? I tell you there's not much quiet for a man like me. 'Tisn't
what I'm going to that's troubling me