“Oh, Perrott,” said Hewet.

‘It will be too late—too late for what I have to say,’ rejoined Nicholas, ‘and you will not be here. Oh, madam, if you have but one thought of him who sent me here, but one last lingering care for your own peace of mind and heart, I do for God’s sake urge you to give me a hearing.’

He waited, while Rachel vainly tried to vindicate her sex from the slight he put upon it.