"Let us go in, then. I am all in a twitter till I get away. Am I to have
the money?"

"Yes, yes. But, Richard, your sister says you wish to disclose to me the
true history of that lamentable night. You had better speak while we are
here."

"It was Barbara herself wanted you to hear it. I think it of little
moment. If the whole place heard the truth from me, it would do no good,
for I should get no belief--not even from you."

"Try me, Richard, in as few words as possible."

"Well, there was a row at home about my going so much to Hallijohn's.
The governor and my mother thought I went after Afy; perhaps I did, and
perhaps I didn't. Hallijohn had asked me to lend him my gun, and that
evening, when I went to see Af--when I went to see some one--never
mind--"

"Richard," interrupted Mr. Carlyle, "there's an old saying, and it is
sound advice: 'Tell the whole truth to your lawyer and your doctor.' If
I am to judge whether anything can be attempted for you, you must tell
it to me; otherwise, I would rather hear nothing. It shall be sacred
trust."

"Then, if I must, I must," returned the yielding Richard. "I did love
the girl. I would have waited till I was my own master to make her my
wife, though it had been for years and years. I could not do it, you
know, in the face of my father's opposition."