Tell me thy strong reasons." Here was a strait.
"Why dost thee blush, young man?
Is it aught thee art ashamed of ?" "Ashamed! No!" "Is it a secret, then, the telling of which would be to thee, or to any else, dishonour ?" "Dishonour!" And the bright eye shot an indignant gleam.
"Then, tell the truth." "I will.

I wish first to find out, for myself, whether Lady Caroline Brithwood is fitted to have under her charge one who is young--innocent--good." "Has she such an one?
One thee knows ?" "Yes." "Man or woman ?" "Woman." My father turned, and looked John full in the eyes.

Stern as that look was, I traced in it a strange compassion.
"Lad, I thought so.

Thee hast found the curse of man's life--woman." To my amazement, John replied not a syllable.

He seemed even as if he had forgotten himself and his own secret--thus, for what end I knew not, voluntarily betrayed--so absorbed was he in contemplating the old man.