Oh, Phil! Phil!"
"It was softening of the brain," he said, "was it not?"
"Yes--he entertained a delusion of conspiracy against him--also a
complacent conviction of the mental instability of others. Yet, at
intervals he remained clever and witty and charming."
"And then?"
"Phil--he became violent at times."
"Yes. And the end?" he asked quietly.
"A little child again--quite happy and content--playing with toys--very
gentle, very pitiable--" The hot tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Phil!" she
sobbed and hid her face on his shoulder.
Over the soft, faintly fragrant hair he stared stupidly, lips apart,
chin loose.
A little later, Nina sat up in the hammock, daintily effacing the traces
of tears. Selwyn was saying: "If this is so, that Ruthven man has got to
stand by her. Where could she go--if such trouble is to come upon her?
To whom can she turn if not to him? He is responsible for her--doubly
so, if her condition is to be--_that_! By every law of manhood he is
bound to stand by her now; by every law of decency and humanity he
cannot desert her now.
Pages:
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507