He could not let him walk back alone to Vandon--over the bridge.

It was long past midnight.

Dare's evident inability to think where to turn touched him.
"Can I be of any use to you ?" he said, earnestly.

"Is there anything I can do?
Perhaps, at present, you would rather not go to Vandon." "No, no," said Dare, shuddering; "I will not go there." Charles felt more certain than ever that it would not be safe to leave him to his own devices, and his anxiety not to lose sight of him in his present state gave a kindness to his manner of which he was hardly aware.
"Come back to Atherstone with me," he said, "I will explain it to Ralph when he comes in.

It will be all right." Dare accepted the proposition with gratitude.