He passed by me, but would not answer when I spoke to
him. Come, let me take you to your room."
With a chill at heart almost like that of death she went with him, and
sat down pale and speechless.
In a few moments a note was brought to Mr. Wildmere's door, and he
took it to his daughter. She could scarcely open it with her nerveless
fingers, and when she read the brief words--
"MISS WILDMERE--You must permit me to renounce all claims upon
you now and forever. Memory and your own thoughts will reveal
to you the obvious reasons for my action, GRAYDON MUIR,"
she found a brief respite from the results of her diplomacy in
unconsciousness.
CHAPTER XXXIV
BROKEN LIGHTS AND SHADOWS
Mr. Wildmere looked almost ten years older when he came down to what
he supposed would be a solitary breakfast; but something like hope
and gladness reappeared on his haggard face when he saw Arnault at his
table as usual. He scarcely knew how he would be received, but Arnault
was as affable and courteous as he would have been months previous,
and no one in the breakfast-room would have imagined that anything
had occurred to disturb the relations between the two gentlemen. He
inquired politely after the ladies, expressed regret that they were
indisposed, and changed the subject in a tone and manner natural to a
mere acquaintance.
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