"I don't want any one to know I have been here," he said, as he stood
trembling before the fire. "It is raining, I am wet through, shivering,
hungry. Elizabeth, why don't you speak?"
"Why are you here--in this way?"
She could hardly get the words out. Her tongue was heavy, her speech
as difficult as if she had been in some terror-haunted dream.
"Because I am going away--far away--forever. I wanted to see you
first."
"Antony! My brother! Antony, what have you done!"
"Hush, hush. Get me some food and dry clothes."
"Go to my room. You are safer there."
He slipped up the familiar stair, and Elizabeth soon followed him.
"Here is wine and sweet-bread. I cannot get into the pantry or call
for food without arousing remark. Antony, what is the matter?"
"I am ruined. Eltham and those Darraghs together have done it."
"Thank God! I feared something worse."
"There is worse. I have forged two notes. Together they make nearly
L19,000. The first falls due in three days. I have no hope of
redeeming it. I am going to the other end of the world. I am glad to
go, for I am sick of every thing here. I'll do well yet. You will help
me, Elizabeth?"
She could not answer him.
"For our father's sake, for our mother's sake, you must help me away.
It will be transportation for life.
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