’I shall not grant what you ask, simply because it is against my principles.  I let you off, for it would do me no good to punish you, and certainly, as regards yourself, the lesson will be enough.  But I can’t keep you in my employ, so we’ll talk no more about it.  You were going to take your holiday from the end of this week, I think?  Very well, let it be supposed that you begin to-day instead, and in a day or two write me a note giving up your place.’

This was not yielding on Dagworthy’s part; it merely occurred to him as a way of protecting himself if there should be future need.

Hood was standing with bent head; he seemed unable either to speak or to depart.

‘You may go,’ Dagworthy said.

‘Sir,—­I may refer to you?’ asked the wretched man, roused by the bidding.

‘No, I think not,’ was the calm reply.  ’Unless, of course, you are willing that I should state the plain facts of the case?’

Hood staggered from the room....

When Emily came down in the course of the morning, her appearance was such that her mother uttered an exclamation of alarm.

’Why, child, you are like a ghost!  Why didn’t you stay in bed?  I was just coming up to you, hoping you’d been asleep.  I must go for Dr. Evans at once.’

Emily resisted.

’But I certainly shall, say what you like.  No headache would make you look like that.  And you’re as feverish as you can be.  Go up to bed again; you hardly look, though, as if you could climb the stairs.  I’ll put on my things and go round.’

It was only by affecting anger that Emily could overcome her mother’s purpose.  She did indeed feel ill, but to submit to treatment was impossible whilst this day lasted.  Far worse than her bodily fever was the mental anguish which would not allow her to remain in one place for more than a few minutes at a time, and did not suffer the pretence of occupation.  How would it come about?  Was her father at this moment in the hands of the police?  How would the first news come to Banbrigg, and when?  The sound of every vehicle on the road was an approaching terror; she was constantly at the window to watch the people who came near.  It had seemed to her that she realised what this trial would be, yet her anticipations had fallen far below the experience of these fearful hours.  At instants, she all but repented what she had done, and asked herself if there was not even now a chance of somehow saving her father.  The face which he had raised to the window as he left home smote her heart.  Not a word of kindness had she spoken to him since Friday night.  Oh, what inconceivable cruelty had possessed her, that she let him go this morning without even having touched his hand!  Could her mind endure this?  Was she not now and then near to delirium?  Once she went to the window, and, to her horror, could see nothing; a blue and red mist hovered before her eyes.  It left her, but other symptoms of physical distress