"There will be no harm in my having a conversation with him. I shall go at once."
"I am with you, Gerald, if you want me."
"I always want you, my dear brother. Let us go."
They found the doctor, an elderly gentleman, at home, and he received them politely, but not exactly with cordiality. They fell immediately into conversation about Emilia, but both Leonard and Gerald observed that the doctor expressed himself with marked reserve. At length he seemed to arrive at a certain resolution, and, with a significant look at Leonard, he said:
"Would you mind leaving your brother and me in private a while?"
"Not at all," replied Leonard, somewhat startled. "If there is any particular reason for it."
"I have a particular reason," said the doctor, "or I should not request it."
"What do you say, Gerald?" asked Leonard.
"The doctor wishes it," said Gerald.
Leonard rose, and went to the door. Gerald ran after him into the passage and whispered, "I will tell you everything that passes, Leonard. You must not be hurt."