"Paul, did you tell Greta she was marrying a b.a.s.t.a.r.d?"
With one look of anguish Paul fell back mute and trembling.
"Did you tell her?" said Hugh, with awful emphasis.
Paul"s eyes were on the ground, his head bent forward. He was silent.
"I thought you did not mean to tell her," said Hugh, coldly. His eyes looked steadfastly at Paul"s drooping head. "I think so still."
Paul said nothing, but drew his breath hard. Hugh watched him closely.
"To marry a woman under a false pretense--is it the act of an honorable man? Is it a cheat? Give it what name you will."
Paul drew himself up; his lips were compressed, and he smiled.
"Is this all?" he asked.
"Why did you not tell her?" said Hugh.
"Because I had sworn to tell no one. You will read that secret, as you have read the other."
Hugh smiled.
"Say, rather, because you dare not do so; because, had you told her, she had never become your wife."
Paul laughed vacantly.
"We shall see. My own lips are sealed, but yours are free. You shall tarnish the memory of our father and blacken the honor of our mother.
You shall humble me, and rob me of my wife"s love--if you will and can."
Saying this, Paul stepped hastily to the door, flung it open, and cried: "Greta! Greta!"
Hugh followed him and caught him arm.
"What are you doing?" he said, in a hoa.r.s.e whisper; "be quiet, I tell you--be quiet."
Paul turned about.
"You say I am afraid to tell her. You charge me with trapping her into marrying me. You shall tell her yourself, now, here, and before my very face!"
"Come in and shut the door," said Hugh.
"It would do no good, and perhaps some harm. No matter, you shall tell her. I challenge you to tell her."
"Come in, and listen to me," said Hugh, sullenly; and putting himself between Paul and the door, he closed it. "There is more to think of than what Greta may feel," he added. "Have you nothing to say to me?"
Paul"s impetuous pa.s.sion cooled suddenly.
"I have made you atonement," he said, faintly, and dropped into a seat.
"Atonement!"
Hugh Ritson smiled bitterly.
"When you return you will see," said Paid, his eyes once more on the ground.
"You are thinking of the deed of attorney--I have heard of it already,"
said Hugh. A cold smile played on his compressed lips.
"It was all that was left to do," said Paul, his voice hardly stronger than a whisper. His proud spirit was humbled, and his challenge dead.
"Paul, you have robbed me of my inheritance, consciously, deliberately.
You have stood in my place. You stand there still. And you leave me your pitiful deed by way of amends!"
A black frown crossed Hugh Ritson"s face.
"Atonement! Are you not ashamed of such mockery? What atonement is there for a wrong like that?"
"I did it for the best; G.o.d knows I did!" said Paul, his head fell on the table.
Hugh Ritson stood over him, pale with suppressed wrath.
"Was it best to hold my place until my place was no longer worth holding, and then to leave it with an empty show of generosity? Power of attorney! What right have you to expect that I will take that from you?
Take my own from the man who robbed me of it, and to receive it back on my knees! To accept it as a gift, whereof the generosity of giving is yours, and the humility of receiving is mine!"
A strong shudder pa.s.sed over Paul"s shoulders.
"I was helpless--I was helpless!" he said.
"Understand your true position--your legal position. You were your mother"s illegitimate son--"
"I did it to protect her honor!"
"You mean--to hide her shame!"
"As you will. I was helpless, and I did it for the best."
Hugh Ritson"s face grew dark.
"Was it best to be a perjured liar?" he said.
Paul gasped, but did not reply.
"Was it best to be a thief?"
Paul leaped to his feet.
"G.o.d, give me patience!" he muttered.