Judge me; judge me as hardly as you like. My life
has been one long, bitter struggle, and if now--. I say,' he
began a new sentence, 'that only the hard side of life has been
shown to me; small wonder if I have become hard myself. Desert
me; go your own Way, as the young always do. But bear in mind my
warning. Remember the caution I have given you.'
He spoke in a strangely sudden agitation. The arm with which he
leaned upon the table trembled violently. After a moment's pause
he added, in a thick voice:
'Leave me. I will speak to you again in the morning.'
Impressed in a way she did not understand, Marian at once obeyed,
and rejoined her mother in the parlour. Mrs Yule gazed anxiously
at her as she entered.
'Don't be afraid,' said Marian, with difficulty bringing herself
to speak. 'I think it will be better.'
'Was that a telegram that came?' her mother inquired after a
silence.
'Yes. I don't know where it was from. But father said he would
have to leave town for a few days.'
They exchanged looks.
'Perhaps your uncle is very ill,' said the mother in a low voice.
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