When Haldane entered the cottage that evening his eyes were bloodshot and his face so haggard that Mr. Growther started out of his chair, exclaiming: "Lord a' massy! what's the matter?"
"Matter enough," replied the youth, with a reckless oath. "The worst that I feared has happened."
"What's happened?" asked the old man excitedly.
"I've been fighting in the work-room like a bull-dog, and swearing like a pirate. That's the kind of a Christian I am, and always will be. What I was made for, I don't see," he added, as he threw himself into a chair.
"Well, well, well!" said Mr. Growther dejectedly, "I was in hopes she'd git here in time; but I'm afeered you've just clean backslid."
"No kind of doubt on that score," replied the young man, with a bitter laugh; "though I now think I never had very far to slide. And yet it all seems wrong and unjust. Why should my hopes be raised? why should such feelings be inspired, if this was to be the end? If I was foreordained to go to the devil, why must an aggravating glimpse of heaven be given me? I say it's all cruel and wrong. But what's the use! Come, let's have supper, one must eat as long as he's in the body."
It was a silent and dismal meal, and soon over. Then Haldane took his hat without a word.
"Where are you goin'?" asked Mr. Growther, anxiously.
"I neither know nor care."
"Don't go out to-night, I expect somebody."
"Who, in the name of wonder?"
"Mrs. Arnot."
"I could as easily face an angel of light now as Mrs. Arnot," he replied, pausing on the threshold; for even in his reckless mood the old man's wistful face had power to restrain.
"You are mistaken, Egbert," said a gentle voice behind him. "You can face me much more easily than an angel of light. I am human like yourself, and your friend."
She had approached the open door through the dusk of the mild autumn evening, and had heard his words. He trembled at her voice, but ventured no reply.
"I have come to see you, Egbert; you will not leave me."
"Mrs. Arnot," he said passionately, "I am not worth the trouble you take in my behalf, and I might as well tell you at once that it is in vain."
"I do not regard what I do for you as 'trouble,' and I know it is not in vain," she replied, with calm, clear emphasis.
Her manner quieted him somewhat; but after a moment he said: "You do not know what has happened to-day, nor how I have been feeling for many days past."