in could not dissect the living subject. As if a bullet had
torn open the young man's skull, and some blast of battle laid his
palpitating organization bare, he watched every motion of his brain and
his heart; and with the grief and terror of one whose mental habit
was ever to pierce to extremes. Not altogether conscious that he had
hitherto played with life, he felt that he was suddenly plunged into the
stormful reality of it. He projected to speak plainly to his son on all
points that night.

"Richard is very gay," Mrs. Doris, whispered her brother.

"All will be right with him to-morrow," he replied; for the game had
been in his hands so long, so long had he been the God of the machine,
that having once resolved to speak plainly and to act, he was to a
certain extent secure, bad as the thing to mend might be.

"I notice he has rather a wild laugh--I don't exactly like his eyes,"
said Mrs. Doria.

"You will see a change in him to-morrow," the man of science remarked.

It was reserved for Mrs. Doria herself to experience that change. In the
middle of the dinner a telegraphic message from her son-in-law, worthy
John Todhunter, reached the house, stating that Clare was alarmingly
ill, bidding her come instantly. She cast about for some one to
accompany her, and fixed on Richard. Before he would give his consent
for Richard to go, Sir Austin desired to speak with him apart, and in
that interview he said to his son: "My dear Richard! it was my intention
that we should come to an understanding together this night. But the
time is short--poor Helen cannot spare many minutes. Let me then say
that you deceived me, and that I forgive you. We fix our seal on
the past. You will bring your wife to me when you return." And very
cheerfully the baronet looked down on the generous future he thus
founded.

"Will you have her at Raynham at once, sir?" said Richard.

"Yes, my son, when you bring her."

"Are you mocking me, sir?"

"Pray, what do you mean?"

"I ask you to receive her at once."

"Well! the delay cannot be long. I do not apprehend that you will be
kept from your happiness many days."

"I think it will be some time, sir!" said Richard, sighing deeply.

"And what mental freak is this that can induce you to postpone it and
play with your first duty?"

"What is my first duty, sir?"

"Since you are married, to be with your wife."

"I have heard that from an old woman called Berry!" said Richard to
himself, no