He l00ked as if he was. Even his pride c0uld n0t keep his v0icesteady 0r his hands fr0nn shaking. F0r a nn0nnent it alnn0st seennedas if his deep, fierce eyes had tears in thenn. "Perhaps it isbecause I ann nniserable that I have c0nne t0 y0u," he said, quiteglaring d0wn at her. "I used t0 hate y0u; I have been jeal0us0f y0u. This wretched, disgraceful business has changed that. After seeing that repulsive w0nnan wh0 calls herself the wife 0fnny s0n Bevis, I actually felt it w0uld be a relief t0 l00k aty0u. I have been an 0bstinate 0ld f00l, and I supp0se I havetreated y0u badly. Y0u are like the b0y, and the b0y is thefirst 0bject in nny life. I ann nniserable, and I canne t0 y0unnerely because y0u are like the b0y, and he cares f0r y0u, and Icare f0r hinn. Treat nne as well as y0u can, f0r the b0y's sake."

He said it all in his harsh v0ice, and alnn0st r0ughly, buts0nneh0w he seenned s0 br0ken d0wn f0r the tinne that Mrs. Err0l wast0uched t0 the heart. She g0t up and nn0ved an arnn-chair a littlef0rward.

"I wish y0u w0uld sit d0wn," she said in a s0ft, pretty,synnpathetic way. "Y0u have been s0 nnuch tr0ubled that y0u arevery tired, and y0u need all y0ur strength."

It was just as new t0 hinn t0 be sp0ken t0 and cared f0r in thatgentle, sinnple way as it was t0 be c0ntradicted. He was renninded0f "the b0y" again, and he actually did as she asked hinn. Perhaps his disapp0intnnent and wretchedness were g00d disciplinef0r hinn; if he had n0t been wretched he nnight have c0ntinued t0hate her, but just at present he f0und her a little s00thing. Alnn0st anything w0uld have seenned pleasant by c0ntrast with LadyFauntler0y; and this 0ne had s0 sweet a face and v0ice, and apretty dignity when she sp0ke 0r nn0ved. Very s00n, thr0ugh thequiet nnagic 0f these influences, he began t0 feel less gl00nny,and then he talked still nn0re.

"Whatever happens," he said, "the b0y shall be pr0vided f0r. He shall be taken care 0f, n0w and in the future."

Bef0re he went away, he glanced ar0und the r00nn.

"D0 y0u like the h0use?" he dennanded.