All the blood in Mark's body rushed to his face as he bowed and explained, rather awkwardly, that he had called to see her father.
"I'll go and call him," said Edna; but as she was about leaving the room, Mark arrested her with an eager exclamation, "Stay, Miss Heath; do not leave yet, I beseech you. One moment--I beg of you--Pray tell me, is your brother severely hurt?"
"Not seriously so. He slept quite soundly last night. He very fortunately escaped any great harm. His horse ran away with him--upset the wagon he was riding in, and he fell--"
"I know it all, Miss Heath. It was my fault."
"Your fault," repeated Edna with surprise.
"My fault, I regret to say. But please forgive me. I came to explain and apologize. Your brother provoked me, and I was carried away by anger. Had the consequences been serious, I should never have forgiven myself. I am sorry--very sorry, Miss Heath. You were so kind as to take my part on a former occasion, when we were children. I have never forgotten it. (Edna colored at the reminder.) Please do so again. I know you are too just and too kind to blame me, if you knew all the circumstances."
Edna, who knew nothing of Mark's share in the misadventure, was much mystified by his appeal, and rather confused by his demeanor; for emboldened by the opportunity, the young man had advanced towards her in a supplicatory attitude, while his gaze expressed far more of admiration than contrition. She stood with a light blush tinting her features, not knowing how to receive so demonstrative an address, when, fortunately, the appearance of her father permitted her to withdraw, and caused her admirer suddenly to subdue his rather dramatic manner.
"This is--Mr. George Gildersleeve's brother, if I am not mistaken," quoth Mr. Heath with, easy condescension, and extending a finger to Mark.
"Yes, sir," replied the young man. "I came to inquire about your son, feeling it my duty to do so."
"Better this morning--much better, in fact."
"So I was glad to learn from Miss Heath. It is but proper that I should tell you, sir, that I was unfortunately the cause of the accident," said Mark.
"Indeed--indeed," said Mr. Heath loftily, "I wasn't aware."
This was a fib, for he knew all about the affair, and that his son had been the aggressor.