"I shall not think of holding her to her engagement—that is, if—I mean to say, she should have time at any rate for consideration."
"Oh, I understand," said the doctor. "She shall have time for consideration. How much shall we give her, squire? three minutes? Go up to her Frank: she is in the drawing-room."
Frank went to the door, and then hesitated, and returned. "I could not do it," said he. "I don't think that I understand it all yet. I am so bewildered that I could not tell her;" and he sat down at the table, and began to sob with emotion.
"And she knows nothing of it?" said the squire.
"Not a word. I thought that I would keep the pleasure of telling her for Frank."
"She should not be left in suspense," said the squire.
"Come, Frank, go up to her," again urged the doctor. "You've been ready enough with your visits when you knew that you ought to stay away."
"I cannot do it," said Frank, after a pause of some moments; "nor is it right that I should. It would be taking advantage of her."
"Go to her yourself, doctor; it is you that should do it," said the squire.
After some further slight delay, the doctor got up, and did go upstairs. He, even, was half afraid of the task. "It must be done," he said to himself, as his heavy steps mounted the stairs. "But how to tell it?"