my line, for me to be really
satisfied as to either facts or the causes of them. Now I'll be able
to wash my hands of it, and get back to clean, wholesome, criminal
work. Of course, sir, I'll be glad to know if you ever do light on a
cause of any kind. And I'll be grateful if you can ever tell me how
the man was dragged out of bed when the cat bit him, and who used the
knife the second time. For master Silvio could never have done it by
himself. But there! I keep thinking of it still. I must look out and
keep a check on myself, or I shall think of it when I have to keep my
mind on other things!"

When Margaret returned from her walk, I met her in the hall. She was
still pale and sad; somehow, I had expected to see her radiant after
her walk. The moment she saw me her eyes brightened, and she looked at
me keenly.

"You have some good news for me?" she said. "Is Father better?"

"He is! Why did you think so?"

"I saw it in your face. I must go to him at once." She was hurrying
away when I stopped her.

"He said he would send for you the moment he was dressed."

"He said he would send for me!" she repeated in amazement. "Then he is
awake again, and conscious? I had no idea he was so well as that! O
Malcolm!"

She sat down on the nearest chair and began to cry. I felt overcome
myself. The sight of her joy and emotion, the mention of my own name
in such a way and at such a time, the rush of glorious possibilities
all coming together, quite unmanned me. She saw my emotion, and seemed
to understand. She put out her hand. I held it hard, and kissed it.
Such moments as these, the opportunities of lovers, are gifts of the
gods! Up to this instant, though I knew I loved her, and though I
believed she returned my affection, I had had only hope. Now, however,
the self-surrender manifest in her willingness to let me squeeze her
hand, the ardour of her pressure in return, and the glorious flush of
love in her beautiful, deep, dark eyes as she lifted them to mine, were
all the eloquences which the most impatient or exacting lover could
expect or demand.

No word was spoken; none was needed. Even had I not been pledged to
verbal silence, words would have been poor and dull to express what we
felt. Hand in hand, like two little children, we went up the staircase
and waited on the landing, till the summons from Mr. Trelawny should
come.

I whispered in her ear--it was nicer than speaking aloud and at a