Part 6 (1/2)

Lionel dropped his eyes, unable longer toterrible

”He would have it,” he growled al the reproach that ritten in every line of his brother's taut body ”I had warned hiht I think some madness had seized upon his which it was beyond hued to complete his sentence

”Well, well,” said Oliver in a small voice ”First let us tend this wound of yours”

”Do not call Nick,” was the other's swift admonition ”Don't you see, Noll?” he explained in answer to the inquiry of his brother's stare, ”don't you see that we fought there almost in the dark and without witnesses It” he sed, ”it will be called h it was; and should it be discovered that it was I” He shi+vered and his glance greild; his lips twitched

”I see,” said Oliver, who understood at last, and he added bitterly: ”You fool!”

”I had no choice,” protested Lionel ”He came at me with his draord Indeed, I think he was half-drunk I warned him of what must happen to the other did either of us fall, but he bade me not concern myself with the fear of any such consequences to himself He was full of foul words of me and you and all whoever bore our name He struck h as I stood unless I drew to defend myself What choice had I? I did not mean to kill him--as God's my witness, I did not, Noll”

Without a word Oliver turned to a side-table, where stood a metal basin and ewer He poured water, then came in the same silence to treat his brother's wound The tale that Lionel told made blame impossible, at least from Oliver He had but to recall the mood in which he himself had ridden after Peter Godolphin; he had but to remember, that only the consideration of Rosamund--only, indeed, the consideration of his future--had set a curb upon his own bloodthirsty humour

When he had washed the wound he fetched some table linen froer; he threaded out one of these and made a preliminary crisscross of the threads across the lips of the wound--for the blade had gone right through thethe ribs; these threads would help the formation of a clot

Then with the infinite skill and cunning acquired in the course of his rovings he proceeded to the bandaging

That done, he opened theand flung out the blood-tinted water

The cloths hich he had mopped the wound and all other similar evidences of the treatment he cast upon the fire He must remove all traces even from the eyes of Nicholas He had the most implicit trust in the old servant's fidelity But the htest risk He realized fully the justice of Lionel's fears that however fair the fightdone thus in secretLionel wrap himself in his cloak, Sir Oliver unbarred the door, and went upstairs in quest of a fresh shi+rt and doublet for his brother

On the landing heHe held him a moment in talk of the sick man above, and outwardly at least he was now entirely coain upon a trumped-up errand that must keep hiet the things he needed

He returned beloith thearments with as littleof the wound or set it bleeding afresh, he took the blood-stained doublet, vest, and shi+rt which he had ripped and flung thereat fire

When some moments later Nicholas entered the vast roo composedly at table Had he faced Lionel he would have observed little amiss with him beyond the deep pallor of his face But he did not even do so much Lionel sat with his back to the door and the servant's advance into the room was checked by Sir Oliver with the assurance that they did not require hiain, and the brothers were once ly He thirsted and would have emptied the measure of posset, but that Sir Oliver restrained hi but water lest he should contract a fever Such a sparing meal as they made--for neither had much appetite--was made in silence At last Sir Oliver rose, and with slow, heavy steps, suggestive of his hus on the blaze, and took from the tall mantelshelf his pipe and a leaden jar of tobacco

He filled the pipe pensively, then with the short iron tongs seized a frag wood and applied it to the herb

He returned to the table, and standing over his brother, he broke at last the silence that had now endured soruffly, ”was the cause of your quarrel?”

Lionel started and shrank a little; between finger and thument of bread, his eyes upon it ”I scarce know,” he replied

”Lal, that is not the truth”

”How?”

”'Tis not the truth I am not to be put off with such an answer

Yourself you said that you had warned him not to cross your path What path was in your mind?”

Lionel leaned his elbows on the table and took his head in his hands

Weak froht mentally as well, in a state of revulsion and reaction also froic affair, he had not strength to withhold the confidence his brother asked On the contrary, it see such a confidence, he would find a haven and refuge in Sir Oliver

”'Twas that wanton at Malpas was the cause of all,” he complained And Sir Oliver's eye flashed at the words ”I deemed her quite other; I was a fool, a fool! I”--he choked, and a sob shook hiht she loved me I would have married her, I would so, by God”