In addition was
the wretched humiliation of open violence and strife with his
brother, and the distress of hearing misjudging contempt expressed
without reserve; for he was aware that Sweyn had turned to allay
the scared excitement half by imperious mastery, half by
explanation and argument, that showed painful disregard of
brotherly consideration. All this unkindness of his twin he
charged upon the fell Thing who had wrought this their first
dissension, and, ah! most terrible thought, interposed between
them so effectually, that Sweyn was wilfully blind and deaf on her
account, resentful of interference, arbitrary beyond reason.
Dread and perplexity unfathomable darkened upon him; unshared, the
burden was overwhelming: a foreboding of unspeakable calamity,
based upon his ghastly discovery, bore down upon him, crushing out
hope of power to withstand impending fate.
Sweyn the while was observant of his brother, despite the
continual check of finding, turn and glance when he would,
Christian's eyes always upon him, with a strange look of helpless
distress, discomposing enough to the angry aggressor. "Like a
beaten dog!" he said to himself, rallying contempt to withstand
compunction. Observation set him wondering on Christian's
exhausted condition. The heavy labouring breath and the slack
inert fall of the limbs told surely of unusual and prolonged
exertion. And then why had close upon two hours' absence been
followed by open hostility against White Fell?
Suddenly, the fragments of the flask giving a clue, he guessed
all, and faced about to stare at his brother in amaze.
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