e took a step backwards, and set himself against a tree.
"The sun comes in one's eyes," he said, rather feebly. "There's
something poisonous in the air today. Here's Gerald going out of the
Church; and here's Frank in Jack's secrets. God forgive him! Lads, it
seems you think I've had enough of this world's good. My heir's a
swindling villain, and you know it; and here's Frank going the same
road too."

The Squire did not hear the words that both the brothers addressed to
him; he was unconscious of the Curate's disclaimer and eager explanation
that he knew nothing about Jack, and could not understand his presence
in Carlingford. The blow he had got the previous day had confused his
brain outside, and these accumulated vexations had bewildered it within.
"And I could have sworn by Frank!" said the old man, piteously, to
himself, as he put up his hand unawares and tugged at the dainty
starched cravat which was his pride. If they had not held him in their
arms, he would have slid down at the foot of the tree, against which he
had instinctively propped himself. The attack was less alarming to
Gerald, who had seen it before, than to Frank, who had only heard of it;
but the postboy was still within call, by good fortune, and was sent off
for assistance. They carried him to the Hall, gasping for breath, and in
a state of partial unconsciousness, but still feebly repeating those
words which went to the Curate's heart--"I could have sworn by Frank!"
The house was in a great fright and tumult, naturally, before they
reached it, Mrs Wentworth fainting, the girls looking on in dismay, and
the whole household moved to awe and alarm, knowing that one time or
other Death would come so. As for the Curate of St Roque's, he had
already made up his mind, with unexpected anguish, not only that his
father was dying, but that his father would die under a fatal
misconception about himself; and between this overwhelming thought, and
the anxiety which nobody understood or could sympathise with respecting
Jack's message, the young man was almost beside himself. He went away in
utter despair from the anxious consultations of the family after the
doctor had come, and kept walking up and down before the house, waiting
to hear the worst, as he thought; but yet unable, even while his father
lay dying, to keep from thinking what miserable chance, what folly or
crime, had taken Jack to Carlingford, and what his brother could have to
do with the owner of