CHAPTER XII.
A STRANGE HABIT .-- WALTER'S INTERVIEW WITH MADELINE .-- HER GENEROUS AND CONFIDING DISPOSITION .-- WALTER'S ANGER .-- THE PARTING MEAL .-- CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE UNCLE AND NEPHEW .-- WALTER ALONE .-- SLEEP THE BLESSING OF THE YOUNG.
Fall.

Out, out, unworthy to speak where he breatheth....
Punt.

Well now, my whole venture is forth, I will resolve to depart.
-- Ben Jonson .-- Every Man out of his Humour.
It was now the eve before Walter's departure, and on returning home from a farewell walk among his favourite haunts, he found Aram, whose visit had been made during Walter's absence, now standing on the threshold of the door, and taking leave of Madeline and her father.

Aram and Walter had only met twice before since the interview we recorded, and each time Walter had taken care that the meeting should be but of short duration.
In these brief encounters, Aram's manner had been even more gentle than heretofore; that of Walter's, more cold and distant.

And now, as they thus unexpectedly met at the door, Aram, looking at him earnestly, said: "Farewell, Sir! You are to leave us for some time, I hear.