"And-and all he said was: 'Poor old Dick!'. . . He-he had no word of blame for me. He would not allow me to go back and tell the truthas I would have done. Ay, Warburton, when Jack called me to him, I could have cried it aloud-but-he would not have it. . . . He said: 'For Lavinia's sake.' . . . "
Warburton blew his nose violently. His fingers were trembling.
"You know what happened afterwards. You know how my father turned Jack out penniless-you know how his friends shunned him-you know my poor mother's grief. And you know that he went away-that we could not find him when-my mother died. . . . His last words to me-were: 'Make Lavinia-happy-and try to forget-all this.' Forget it! Heavens! Try as I might, I could hear nothing further of him until two months ago, when he-waylaid me. Then I was half-dazed at the suddenness of it. He-he grasped my hand-and-laughed! It was so dark, I could scarce see him. I only had time to demand his address, and then-he was off-galloping away over the heath. I think-even then-he bore no malice."
"He does not now!" said Warburton sharply. "But, Master Dick, if all this is true, why do you not even now clear him? Surely-"
Richard turned his head slowly.
"Now I may not drag my wife's name through the mud. By clearing him-I ruin her."
Warburton could find nothing to say. Only after some time did he clear his throat and say that he was honoured by Carstares' confidence.
"You-ah-you dwell on the part played by his Grace on that evening. Surely your-shall we say-overwrought imagination magnified that?"
Richard was disinterested.
"I suppose so. Mayhap 'twas his extraordinary personality dominating me. He cannot have pulled the wires as I thought he did. Not even Belmanoir could make me act as I did. But-but at the time I felt that he was pushing-pushing-compelling me to accuse Jack. Oh, doubtless I was mad!"
Warburton eyed the dejected figure compassionately. Then he seemed to harden himself and to regain some of his lost primness of manner.
"You-ah-you are determined not to accept the revenues, sir?"
"I have not yet sunk so low, Mr. Warburton."
"His lordship leaves Wyncham and all appertaining to it at your disposal. He would be grieved at your refusal."
"I will not touch it."
The lawyer nodded.
"I confess, Mr. Carstares, I am relieved to hear you say that. It will not be necessary again to communicate with his lordship. I think he does not desire any intercourse with-his family. He finds it too painful. But he wished to be remembered to you, sir. Also to her ladyship."