Tell him that nothing must happen that can injure
her."
"He may insist on seeing--her."
"She does not know that he has been in prison," she said miserably.
"But if he should insist?"
"I should have to prepare her, David. She knows that he is alive--but
--Listen, David!" She leaned forward to give emphasis to her words. "If
he comes to her now with the story of his--his wrongs, of his
sufferings, she will forget all that has gone before. Her heart is
tender. I am afraid of the stand she may take--and she may compel me
to take it with her."
"I'll do all that I can, Mrs. Braddock, to--" he began. The sound of
voices in the vestibule came to them at that moment. Good nights were
being called from the steps to the street below. Then the door was
opened and closed quickly. Some one came rapidly down the hall. There
was a swift rustling of skirts, the low humming of an air from
"Pinafore." David was on his feet in an instant, visibly excited by
the impending encounter.
Christine came into the library. She was half-way across the room
before she realized that the tall young man beside her mother was a
stranger.
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