THE UNSPEAKABLE GENTLEMAN
quite safe here. I have made sure of that. My son will remain until your brother arrives, and will dispense what hospitality you require.
"I trust," he added, turning to me, "you still remember why you have been here?"
"Indeed, yes," I answered.
"Then it is good-bye, Henry. I shall not bother to offer you my hand. Brutus, you will remain with my son until a quarter to seven."
Even now I cannot tell what made a mist come over my eyes and a lump in my throat any more than I can explain my subsequent actions on that evening. Was it possible I was sorry to see the last of him? Or was it simply self pity that shortened my breath and made my voice seem broken and discordant?
"And after that?" I asked.
He looked at me appraisingly, tapping his thin fingers on his sword hilt.
"After that—" He stared thoughtfully at the shadows of the darkened room. Was he thinking as I was, of the wasted years and what the end would be?
"After that," he repeated, half to himself, "come, I will make an appointment with you after that—on the other side of
[180]
