He abruptly resumed--
'Yes, we will, Maud--you and I--we'll leave one proof on record, which,
fairly read, will go far to convince the world.'
He looked round, but we were alone. The garden was nearly always solitary,
and few visitors ever approached the house from that side.
'I have talked too long, I believe; we are children to the last. Leave me,
Maud. I think I know you better than I did, and I am pleased with you. Go,
child--I'll sit here.'
If he had acquired new ideas of me, so had I of him from that interview. I
had no idea till then how much passion still burned in that aged frame, nor
how full of energy and fire that face, generally so stern and ashen, could
appear. As I left him seated on the rustic chair, by the steps, the traces
of that storm were still discernible on his features. His gathered brows,
glowing eyes, and strangely hectic face, and the grim compression of his
mouth, still showed the agitation which, somehow, in grey old age, shocks
and alarms the young.
CHAPTER XX
_AUSTIN RUTHYN SETS OUT ON HIS JOURNEY_
The Rev. William Fairfield, Doctor Clay's somewhat bald curate, a mild,
thin man, with a high and thin nose, who was preparing me for confirmation,
came next day; and when our catechetical conference was ended, and before
lunch was announced, my father sent for him to the study, where he remained
until the bell rang out its summons.
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