the slain
admiral's naval battles. He protested he had a right to know, for he was
the hero's uncle, and loved him. He assured the stupid scowling people
that he loved Nevil Beauchamp, always loved the boy, and was the
staunchest friend the fellow had. And saying that, he certainly felt
himself leaning up against the cathedral rails in the attitude of Dr.
Shrapnel, and crying, 'Beauchamp! Beauchamp!' And then he walked firmly
out of Romfrey oakwoods, and, at a mile's distance from her, related
to his countess Rosamund that the burial was over without much silly
ceremony, and that she needed to know nothing of it whatever.

Rosamund's face awoke him. It was the face of a chalk-quarry,
featureless, hollowed, appalling.

The hour was no later than three in the morning. He quitted the
detestable bed where a dream--one of some half-dozen in the course of
his life-had befallen him. For the maxim of the healthy man is: up, and
have it out in exercise when sleep is for foisting base coin of dreams
upon you! And as the healthy only are fit to live, their maxims should
be law. He dressed and directed his leisurely steps to the common, under
a black sky, and stars of lively brilliancy. The lights of a carriage
gleamed on Dr. Shrapnel's door. A footman informed Lord Romfrey that
Colonel Halkett was in the house, and soon afterward the colonel
appeared.

'Is it over? I don't hear him,' said Lord Romfrey.

Colonel Halkett grasped his hand. 'Not yet,' he said. 'Cissy can't be
got away. It's killing her. No, he's alive. You may hear him now.'

Lord Romfrey bent his ear.

'It's weaker,' the colonel resumed. 'By the way, Romfrey, step out with
me. My dear friend, the circumstances will excuse me: you know I'm not
a man to take liberties. I'm bound to tell you what your wife writes to
me. She says she has it on her conscience, and can't rest for it. You
know women. She wants you to speak to the man here--Shrapnel. She wants
Nevil to hear that you and he were friendly before he dies; thinks it
would console the poor dear fellow. That's only an idea; but it concerns
her, you see. I'm shocked to have to talk to you about it.'

'My dear colonel, I have no feeling against the man,' Lord Romfrey
replied. 'I spoke to him when I saw him yesterday. I bear no grudges.
Where is he? You can send to her to say I have spoken to him twice.'

'Yes, yes,' the colonel assented.

He could not imagine that Lady Romfrey required more of her husband