 change
more distinctly than I had ever done before. I understood that it had made a
change in myself. I love her, Mr. Snowdon, and it's my dearest hope that she may
come to feel the same for me.«
    Michael was more agitated than the speaker; he raised a hand to his forehead
and closed his eyes as if the light pained them. But the smile with which he
speedily answered Sidney's look of trouble was full of reassurance.
    »You couldn't have said anything that would give me more pleasure,« he
replied, just above his breath. »Does she know it? Did you speak to her?«
    »We were talking of years ago, and I mentioned Clara Hewett. I said that I
had forgotten all about her except that she'd befriended Jane. But nothing more
than that. I couldn't say what I was feeling just then. Partly I thought that it
was right to speak to you first; and then - it seemed to me almost as if I
should be treating her unfairly. I'm so much older - she knows that it isn't the
first time I - and she's always thought of me just as a friend.«
    »So much older?« repeated Michael, with a grave smile. »Why, you're both
children to my sight. Wait and let me think a bit, Sidney. I too have something
I want to say. I'm glad you've spoken this afternoon, when there's time for us
to talk. Just wait a few minutes, and let me think.«
    Sidney had as good as forgotten that there was anything unusual in his
friend's circumstances; this last day or two he had thought of nothing but Jane
and his love for her. Now he recalled the anticipation - originating he scarcely
knew how - that some kind of disclosure would before long be made to him. The
trouble of his mind was heightened; he waited with all but dread for the next
words.
    »I think I've told you,« Michael resumed at length, steadying his voice,
»that Joseph is my youngest son, and that I had three others. Three others:
Michael, Edward, and Robert - all dead. Edward died when he was a boy of
fifteen; Robert was killed on the railway - he was a porter - at
three-and-twenty. The eldest went out to Australia; he took a wife there, and
had one child; the wife died when they'
