"And, indeed, sir, what else could I do," said Denis, wiping the tears from his eyes, "when I saw the poor thing lying there like a corpse? It's a bitter time she's had of it, these last ten years, in that death-in-life state. Oh yes, captain, I forgave her freely, poor soul!" "And Hilliston?" asked Larcher inquiringly. "May his black soul burn," cried Denis, with a scowl. "Were I or he younger I'd leave my mark on him. Mona had a letter from him saying he was calling to see her this evening, but that he had an appointment with you, sir." "With me, Denis! It is the first I have heard of it. Where is he?" At this moment, as if in response to his question, the door opened and Tait appeared, looking very disturbed. "Mr. Hilliston is here, Captain Larcher, and wishes to speak with you." Claude had entered the room by another door, and, on hearing this, stepped forward looking slightly pale. He slipped his arm within that of his father, as though to protect the elder man. Then they all waited to hear what Captain Larcher had to say. The permission for the interview must come from the man who had been most deeply wronged. He thought for a moment or so with a frown on his face, then sank into a chair with a deep sigh. "Denis, stand behind me," he said, in a peremptory tone. "Claude, sit down yonder. Now, Mr. Tait, we are ready to see our friend." Tait anticipated this permission, and was already prepared for it. Without a word he threw open the door, and Hilliston, dressed in deep mourning, entered the room with a paper in his hand. He looked pale and worn, his fresh color was gone, and as he spoke he kept his eyes persistently on the ground. It could be easily seen that the man had received a shock from which he would not easily recover. "I have called to see you and deliver this," he said, in a low tone, placing the paper he carried on the table. "I do not ask your forgiveness, Larcher, for I do not consider I have done anything to justify your anger against me." "You could have saved me all these years of anguish by telling me the truth," said Larcher indignantly. "Perhaps! But it was not to my interest to tell you the truth." "I don't wonder at that," said Claude bitterly. "You were afraid of the law." "Perhaps," said Hilliston again. "On the other hand I may not be so guilty as you think me. You will find the truth in that paper." He pointed toward the table, and the eyes of all immediately turned in that direction, while Hilliston moved toward the door. "Having fulfilled the promise I made to my dead wife, I now take my leave," he said quietly. "I will never see any of you again, and some day you may learn that you have misjudged me. Good-by." He opened the door, but before he could pass through Denis sprang forward. "My sister?" he said, with an indignant look in his eyes. "I am about to repair the wrong I did her," replied the lawyer gravely. "By to-morrow she will be my wife." CHAPTER XLIV.