And as
he spoke, Dick looked at him with a new ghastliness on his face.
"This afternoon--in the dining-room--when you said that Viviette had
told you everything--?"
"About your wish to go to the Colonies. What else?"
"And what I overheard in the armoury--about a telegram--telling
me--putting me out of my misery?"
"Only whether we should tell you to-night or to-morrow about the
appointment. Dick--Dick," said Austin, deeply moved by the great
fellow's collapse, "if I have wronged you all these years, it was
through want of insight, not want of affection. If I have taunted you,
as you say, it was merely a lifelong habit of jesting which you never
seemed to resent. I was unconscious of hurting you. For my blindness and
carelessness I beg your forgiveness. With regard to Viviette--I ought to
have seen, but I didn't. I don't say you had no cause for jealousy--but
as God hears me--all the little conspiracy to-day was lovingly
meant--all to give you pleasure. I swear it."
Dick rose and stumbled about among the furniture.
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