“Well!” exclaimed Vincent, as he folded up the note, and replaced it in its rose-tinted envelope, “I would rather leave the world as we have done, than find out that the world was leaving me!”
CHAPTER XXIV
DARKNESS AND DANGER.
As Martha on the next morning took in the breakfast, she told her mistress with a look of alarm that she had just heard from the baker that the scarlet fever was making rapid progress in M——. Many had died from its effects; amongst them two of the boys who had been attending classes in the academy.
As Martha retailed her tidings, Clemence noticed that Vincent turned pale.
“Did you hear the boys’ names?” he asked hastily.
“I think, sir, as one was the curate’s eldest son.”
“Ah, poor Wilson!” exclaimed Vincent with feeling; “and to think that but three days ago he was sitting at my side, laughing and joking, as strong and as merry as any boy in the school!”