"All? Is not that enough for us to know, my child?"
"But, why did brother happen to lead you into the office just at that
time?"
"There, I have told enough, and what I have told you must not repeat.
If there is anything to come, Howard may tell you, but my wife must
never know that I have been so weak and unnatural a father."
"But she can see that something must have occurred to change your
bearing toward Howard. Mr. William has told her that you have sent for
him, and she is in her room with tears of joy in her eyes."
"Florence, I am striving to be calm, the master of myself. I don't
deserve to be happy--not yet. How could I have been so blind? And how
at times could I have indulged in levity with such a sorrow upon my
heart?"
"It was the truth, father, striving to break through."
He nodded his head. "Yes, and now we must tell her something. Ah, tell
her that a man came and brought me word that my brother is not dead.
Keep her from coming to me with any sort of demonstration. I can't
stand it. I must recall my old self and become gradually accustomed to
it. I must realize that it was all a dream and that it is passing away.
Tomorrow, with Howard, we may make a joke of it."
"It will never be a joke with me."
"No, my child, I did not mean that. It was a nightmare--a breath-shape
breathed upon us by the devil while we slept. But we are awake now, and
God's sun shines. Go to her and tell her that my brother is not dead."
"I will. But, father, do you realize how resourceful you have made
me--how replete with falsehood? And must I not go into the closet and
pray for forgiveness?"
"It was done for love, my dear; and love, which is the soul of all up
yonder, has forgiven already."
Florence and Mrs. Elbridge entered the drawing room. "Who brought that
news that his brother was not dead?" Mrs. Elbridge asked.
"A man. He was in a great hurry to catch a train and could not stop
long. He brought direct word from Mr. Henry himself."
"Then there can be no doubt about it."
"No. And I did not believe it in the first place."
"Who is in there with him?"
"I think Agnes and the preacher have just gone in."
"This is a happy day," said Mrs. Elbridge, looking toward the door.
"A day when falsehood may be told, but when truth is revealed," Florence
replied. "It is one of God's days."
"All days are His, my dear."