It was a fall over the cliff. It happened last night. They didn't
find him for hours. He is going fast. Jack brought me this." She glanced
down at the letter in her hand.
He made a half-gesture to take it, checking himself sharply. "I beg your
pardon, Juliet, I hardly know what I'm doing. It's from Dick, is it?"
Very quietly she gave it to him. "You may read it. You have a right to
know," she said.
He gave her an odd look. "May I? Are you sure?"
"Read it!" she said.
He opened it. His fingers were trembling. She stood at his shoulder and
read it with him. The words were few, containing the bald statement, but
no summons.
The squire read them, breathing heavily. Suddenly he thrust his arm round
Juliet and held her fast.
"Juliet! You'll be good to my boy--good to Dick?"
Her eyes met his. "That is why I am going to him," she said. She took the
note and folded it, standing within the circle of his arm.
"I'd go to him myself--if I could," Fielding went on unevenly. "He'll
feel this--damnably. He was simply devoted to that unfortunate boy."
"I know," said Juliet.
Again he put his hand to his eyes. "I've been a beast about Robin.
Pages:
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343