erstanding that this especial topic was to be
completely avoided. But in what words could he urge such a request upon
this man? None suggested themselves, yet he had promised Miss Scott
that he would ensure his silence in this regard, and it was with this
difficulty and no other he had been struggling when Mr. Brotherson came
upon him in the other room.

"You have still something to say," suggested the latter, as an
oppressive silence swallowed up that icy sentence I have already
recorded.

"I have," returned Mr. Challoner, regaining his courage under the
exigencies of the moment. "Miss Scott is very anxious to have your
promise that you will avoid all disagreeable topics with your brother
till the doctor pronounces him strong enough to meet the trouble which
awaits him."

"You mean--"

"He is not as unhappy as we. He knows nothing of the affliction which
has befallen him. He was taken ill--" The rest was almost inaudible.

But Orlando Brotherson had no difficulty in understanding him, and for
the second time in this extraordinary interview, he gave evidences
of agitation and of a mind shaken from its equipoise. But only for an
instant. He did not shun the other's gaze or even maintain more than
a momentary silence. Indeed, he found strength to smile, in a curious,
sardonic way, as he said:

"Do you think I should be apt to broach this subject with any one, let
alone with him, whose connection with it I shall need days to realise?
I'm not so given to gossip. Besides, he and I have other topics of
interest. I have an invention ready with which I propose to experiment
in a place he has already prepared for me. We can talk about that."

The irony, the hardy self-possession with which this was said struck
Mr. Challoner to the heart. Without a word he wheeled about towards the
door. Without a word, Brotherson stood, watching him go till he saw his
hand fall on the knob when he quietly prevented his exit by saying:

"Unhappy truths cannot be long concealed. How soon does the doctor think
my brother can bear these inevitable revelations?"

"He said this morning that if his patient were as well to-morrow as his
present condition gives promise of, he might be told in another week."

Orlando bowed his appreciation of this fact, but added quickly:

"Who is to do the telling?"

"Doris. Nobody else could be trusted with so delicate a task."

"I wish to be present."

Mr. Challoner looked up, surprised at the feeling