"Ask her to come to me if she is up!" he said at length. "Tell her--tell
her not to be afraid! Say I am waiting for her. I must see her."

Mrs. Langdale hesitated.

"She asked me to leave her alone," she said irresolutely.

Fisher wheeled swiftly round.

"I don't think she will refuse to see me," he said. "At least try!"

There was entreaty in his voice, urgent entreaty, which Mrs. Langdale
found herself unable to withstand.

She departed therefore on her thankless errand and Fisher flung himself
down at the table with his face buried in his hands. In this room but a
few short hours ago Charlie had faced and turned away his anger with all
the courage and sweetness which, combined, had made of him the hero he
was.

It seemed to Fisher, looking back upon the interview, that the boy had
done a braver thing, had offered a sacrifice more splendid, there, in
that room, than any he had done or offered a little later down on the
howling shore.

There came a slight sound at the door and Fisher jerked himself upright.
Molly had entered softly. She was standing, looking at him with a
strange species of wonder on her white face. He rose instantly and went
to meet her.