"But why?" I demanded in my despair, for assuredly the enigma was
increasing hourly. "Why are you not open and frank with me? I--I
confess I----"
"You love her, eh?" he asked, looking at me quickly as he interrupted
me. "Ah, yes," he sighed, as a dark shadow overspread his thin, pale
face, "I guessed as much--a fatal love. You are young and
enthusiastic, and her pretty face, her sweet voice and her soft eyes
have fascinated you. How I wish, Mr. Biddulph, that I could reveal to
you the ghastly, horrible truth. Though I am your friend--and hers,
yet I must, alas! remain silent! The inviolable seal of The
Confessional is upon my lips!"