Carstares rose unsteadily and walked to the window. “I crave your pardon, Mr. Warburton⁠—you must excuse me⁠—I have been⁠—living in hell⁠—this last week.”

Warburton came over to his side.

“Master Dick⁠—I⁠—you know I have never cared for you-as⁠—well⁠—as⁠—”

“You cared for him.”

“Er⁠—yes, sir, exactly!⁠—and of late years I may, perhaps, have been hard. I would desire to⁠—er⁠—apologise for any unjust⁠—er⁠—thoughts I may have harboured against you. I⁠—I⁠—possibly, I never quite understood. That is all, sir.”

He blew his nose rather violently, and then his hand found Richard’s.