"And what shall I say to her?"

"Say nothing. I think it probable that she will not ask any
questions. If she does, tell her that the business between you and
me is not yet over. I will tell your son that at present he had
better not speak to you on the subject of my visit here." And then
he again took the hand of the unfortunate gentleman, and having
pressed it with more tenderness than seemed to belong to him, he
left the room.

He left the room, and hurried into the hall and out of the house;
but as he did so he could see that he was watched by Lady
Fitzgerald. She was on the alert to go to her husband as soon as she
should know that he was alone. Of what then took place between those
two we need say nothing, but will wander forth for a while with Mr.
Prendergast into the wide-spreading park.

Mr. Prendergast had been used to hard work all his life, but he had
never undergone a day of severer toil than that through which he had
just passed. Nor was it yet over. He had laid it down in a broad way
as his opinion that the whole truth in this matter should be
declared to the world, let the consequences be what they might; and
to this opinion Sir Thomas had acceded without a word of
expostulation. But in this was by no means included all that portion
of the burden which now fell upon Mr. Prendergast's shoulders. It
would be for him to look into the evidence, and then it would be for
him also--heavy and worst task of all--to break the matter to Lady
Fitzgerald.