That passed; but he saw her without illusion, without idealisation. She had been the one woman whose faults were entrancing, whose genuine temperament would have atoned for as many more. She seemed now a very ordinary, bright, moody, erratic, seductive young person who was making the most of life before she disappeared into a padded cell. He wondered why he had not preferred Miss Hathaway, or Mrs. Earle, or Miss McDermott. He had not, and concluded that her first influence had been her only one, and that his imagination had done the rest. The sunrise gun boomed from the Presidio. The colours of dawn were on horizon and water. He rose and walked rapidly over the hills and levels; and when he reached his room, he went to bed and slept. XVI At two o'clock, just after Thorpe had breakfasted, Mr. Randolph's card was brought to him, and he went at once into the general sitting-room. No one but Mr. Randolph occupied it at the moment. He was sitting listlessly on the edge of a chair, staring out of the window. Commonly the triggest of men, his face to-day was unshaven, and he looked as if he had not been out of his clothes for forty-eight hours. And he looked as if he had been picked up in the arms of Time, and flung across the unseen gulf into the greyness and feebleness of age. As he rose mechanically, Thorpe took his hand in a strong clasp, forgetting himself for the moment. Mr. Randolph did not return the pressure. He withdrew his hand hurriedly, and sat down. "An explanation is due you," he said, and even his voice was changed. "You have stumbled upon an unhappy family secret." Thorpe explained how he had come to enter the house. "I supposed that it was something of the sort, or rather Cochrane did; he found the window and lower door open. It was a kind and friendly act. I appreciate the motive." He paused a moment, then went on, "As I said just now, an explanation is due you, if explanation is necessary. As you know, I had recognised that as Nina's right--to speak when she saw fit. That is the reason I did not explain the other day--I usually manage to have her in the country at such times," he added, irrelevantly. "Such attacks are always more or less unexpected, I suppose." Thorpe hardly knew what to say. Mr. Randolph fumbled at his hat, "More or less." "Were any other members of her family--similarly afflicted?" "Her father and mother were well-conducted people. I know nothing of any further antecedents." "It sometimes skips a generation," said Thorpe, musingly. Mr. Randolph brought his hand close above his eyes, and pressed his lips together. He opened his mouth twice, as if to speak, before he articulated, "Sometimes, not always." Thorpe rose abruptly and walked to the window, then returned, and stood before Mr. Randolph. "And Nina?" he demanded, peremptorily. "What of her?" Mr. Randolph pressed his hand convulsively against his face.