erself was no power even to
solace their distresses. Marian found her standing in the passage, with
a duster in one hand and a hearth-brush in the other.

'Your father has asked to see you when you come down,' Mrs Yule
whispered.

'I'll go to him.'

Marian entered the study. Her father was not in his place at the
writing-table, nor yet seated in the chair which he used when he had
leisure to draw up to the fireside; he sat in front of one of the
bookcases, bent forward as if seeking a volume, but his chin was propped
upon his hand, and he had maintained this position for a long time. He
did not immediately move. When he raised his head Marian saw that he
looked older, and she noticed--or fancied she did--that there was some
unfamiliar peculiarity about his eyes.

'I am obliged to you for coming,' he began with distant formality.
'Since I saw you last I have learnt something which makes a change in my
position and prospects, and it is necessary to speak on the subject. I
won't detain you more than a few minutes.'

He coughed, and seemed to consider his next words.

'Perhaps I needn't repeat what I have told your mother. You have learnt
it from her, I dare say.'

'Yes, with much grief.'

'Thank you, but we will leave aside that aspect of the matter. For a few
more months I may be able to pursue my ordinary work, but before long
I shall certainly be disabled from earning my livelihood by literature.
Whether this will in any way affect your own position I don't know. Will
you have the goodness to tell me whether you still purpose leaving this
house?'

'I have no means of doing so.'

'Is there any likelihood of your marriage taking place, let us say,
within four months?'

'Only if the executors recover my money, or a large portion of it.'

'I understand. My reason for asking is this. My lease of this house
terminates at the end of next March, and I shall certainly not be
justified in renewing it. If you are able to provide for yourself in
any way it will be sufficient for me to rent two rooms after that. This
disease which affects my eyes may be only temporary; in due time an
operation may render it possible for me to work again. In hope of that I
shall probably have to borrow a sum of money on the security of my life
insurance, though in the first instance I shall make the most of what I
can get for the furniture of the house and a large part of my library;
your mother and I could live at very slight expense