an answer. ‘About that time it may have been,’ he said. ‘I have tried to recollect myself, but I am not sure. There was, at any rate, no significance in what I did then.’ ‘Ah!’ said Dr. Ashton, ‘well, my lord, I should do wrong were I not to tell you that this fright of my poor nephew may have very ill consequences to him. The doctor speaks very despondingly of his state.’ Lord Saul pressed his hands together and looked earnestly upon Dr. Ashton. ‘I am willing to believe you had no bad intention, as assuredly you could have no reason to bear the poor boy malice: but I cannot wholly free you from blame in the affair.’ As he spoke, the hurrying steps were heard again, and Mrs. Ashton came quickly into the room, carrying a candle, for the evening had by this time closed in. She was greatly agitated. ‘O come!’ she cried, ‘come directly. I’m sure he is going.’ ‘Going? Frank? Is it possible? Already?’ With some such incoherent words the doctor caught up a book of prayers from the table and ran out after his wife. Lord Saul stopped for a moment where he was. Molly, the maid, saw him bend over and put both hands to his face. If it were the last words she had to speak, she said afterwards,
