"One is too ready to think evil, I know.

God forgive me if I have judged him harshly.

But go in, my dear;" and he pushed her gently towards the drawing-room.
She went in and closed the door quietly behind her.
Dare was leaning against the mantle-piece, which was draped in Mrs.
Alwynn's best manner, with Oriental hangings having bits of glass woven in them.

He was looking into the curtained fire, and did not turn when she entered.

Even at that moment she noticed, as she went towards him, that his elbow had displaced the little family of china hares on a plush stand which Mrs.Alwynn had lately added to her other treasures.
"I think you wished to see me," she said, as calmly as she could.
He faced suddenly round, his eyes wild, his face quivering, and coming close up to her, caught her hand and grasped it so tightly that the pain was almost more than she could bear.
"Are you going to give me up ?" he asked, hoarsely.
"I don't know," she said; "it depends on yourself, on what you are, and what you have been.