Warburton blew his nose violently. His fingers were trembling.

“You know what happened afterwards. You know how my father turned Jack out penniless⁠—you know how his friends shunned him⁠—you know my poor mother’s grief. And you know that he went away⁠—that we could not find him when⁠—my mother died.⁠ ⁠… His last words to me⁠—were: ‘Make Lavinia-happy⁠—and try to forget⁠—all this.’ Forget it! Heavens! Try as I might, I could hear nothing further of him until two months ago, when he⁠—waylaid me. Then I was half-dazed at the suddenness of it. He⁠—he grasped my hand⁠—and⁠—laughed! It was so dark, I could scarce see him. I only had time to demand his address, and then⁠—he was off⁠—galloping away over the heath. I think⁠—even then⁠—he bore no malice.”

“He does not now!” said Warburton sharply. “But, Master Dick, if all this is true, why do you not even now clear him? Surely⁠—”

Richard turned his head slowly.