“You have always misjudged him, and I fear you always will. I know he has done many wrong and foolish things--he has told me so himself, with bitter regret. But he had cast them behind him; all he needed to help him to rise was the love of a good woman, and he and I both hoped he had found it. I begin to fear now that even before he started on his mission he must have felt some misgivings about Penelope’s affection for him----” “Probably,” said Lady Haigh savagely. “Oh, go on.” “Some fear that her heart was not really his. What is the result? This terrible, miserable rumour which is taking me to Gamara.” “Then you actually hold your sister accountable for Captain Ferrers’ becoming a Mohammedan? Now will you kindly tell me what you think a man’s Christianity is worth if it depends on a girl’s feelings?” “A girl’s actions, rather,” said Colin sorrowfully. “Think, he has met with a terrible shock. All his ideas of woman’s truth and steadfastness are destroyed. I know that ought not to destroy his faith; but he has always been one who depended upon the visible for his grasp of the invisible. And that is why I am going to Gamara, in the hope that he may yet be saved.” “Do you really expect to bring him back with you?” she asked, awed. “No. I feel that I shall not return,” he answered. “But I have also the feeling that in some way, even if it is only by my death, George will be brought back.” “After this”--Lady Haigh spoke brusquely, that he might not see how much she was moved--“I quite understand that it is no use asking you to consider Penelope. She doesn’t count in such a case.” “I have done what I can for her,” he replied. “I have left her all I have. And I suppose”--he spoke with evident distaste--“that some day she will marry the Chief.” “Ah, I thought even you would scarcely venture to think she was still bound to Captain Ferrers. Well, Mr Ross, since you have got so far, you must do something more. You must leave a message with me that I can give her if that ever comes about. If I have to persecute you unceasingly till the day you start, I will have it.” “No; that is too much. I may foresee such a marriage, I cannot prevent it, but I will not encourage it.” “You will give me leave to tell your sister that you thought such a thing might possibly happen, and that you wished her all happiness in it. She has gone through agonies in trying to keep the promise which you imposed upon her, and she did keep it till it nearly killed her. I believe you think you are the only person who has a right to quote texts, but I ask you what good it will do if you are willing to give yourself up to be killed at Gamara, and yet can’t show common charity to your own sister?”