CHAPTER VII.
MOTHER AND SON.
"I have bad news for you, Anthony," said Lady Jane Trevithick, when the butler had at last closed the door behind him, and mother and son were left together.
"Not very bad, I trust, mother?"
"It is about your poor Uncle Wilton. I did not bother you with it till you had had your dinner. He is ill."
"Ill? What's the matter with him?"
"A very serious collapse, I'm afraid. The last letter said he was unconscious. You'll have to go to him, Anthony, I suppose."
"His state is not dangerous? Surely not, or you would not have delayed about telling me?"
"There is no immediate fear," said Lady Jane coldly. "I have only known of his illness a few days. If you had not been coming, I should have wired to you, of course. But since you were coming, I didn't see the use of it. The doctor said that everything was being done."