as Robert!

As he disappeared, she noiselessly opened her door, guardedly passed the
baize door of the west wing, descended the stairs, and met him in the
hall. Neither spoke till they were in the library, which had been kept
prepared for the travellers. Robert pressed her to him and kissed her
fervently, and she found voice to say, 'What is it? Papa?'

'Yes,' said Robert.

She needed not to ask the extent of the calamity. She stood looking in
his face, while, the beginning once made, he spoke in low, quick accents.
'Paralysis. Last night. He was insensible when Edwards called him this
morning. Nothing could be done. It was over by three this afternoon.'

'Where?' asked Phoebe, understanding, but not yet feeling.

'At his rooms at the office. He had spent the evening there alone. It
was not known till eight this morning. I was there instantly, Mervyn and
Bevil soon after, but he knew none of us. Mervyn thought I had better
come here. Oh, Phoebe, my mother!'

'I will see if she have heard anything,' said Phoebe, moving quietly off,
as though one in a dream, able to act, move, and decide, though not to
think.

She found the household in commotion. Robert had spoken to the butler,
and everywhere were knots of whisperers. Miss Fennimore met Phoebe with
her eyes full of tears, tears as yet far from those of Phoebe herself.
'Your mother has heard nothing,' she said; 'I ascertained that from
Boodle, who only left her dressing-room since your brother's arrival.
You had better let her have her night's rest.'

Robert, who had followed Phoebe, hailed this as a reprieve, and thanked
Miss Fennimore, adding the few particulars he had told his sister. 'I
hope the girls are asleep,' he said.

'Sound asleep, I trust,' said Miss Fennimore. 'I will take care of
them,' and laying her hand on Phoebe's shoulder, she suggested to her
that her brother had probably not eaten all day, then left them to return
to the library together. There had been more time for Robert to look the
thought in the face than his sister. He was no longer freshly stunned.
He really needed food, and ate in silence, while she mechanically waited
on him. At last he looked up, saying, 'I am thankful. A few months ago,
how could I have borne it?'

'I have been sure he understood you better of late,' said Phoebe.

'Sunday week was one of the happiest days I have spent for years.
Imagine my surprise at seeing him and Acton in the church. Th