Mrs. Lepell endeavoured to speak, but failed.
"And the worst of it is," resumed her nephew, "the trap was intended for me; several people were anxious that I should break my neck—but poor Nicky had not an enemy in the world. Now I must be off to the inquest and funeral; I will leave you to break it to the family here."
"Oh, but really, Brian—I cannot!"
At this moment Verona entered the room:
"I beg your pardon," she said, drawing back from what seemed a private interview between aunt and nephew.
"No, no, no—Verona, come here," cried her friend; "Brian, you must tell her."
Salwey looked down on the ground for a moment, and then he said, with obvious reluctance:
"Well, I suppose I must. Miss Chandos, I'm sorry to say—I am the bearer of very bad news. Your brother Nicky——"
"Is hurt?" she questioned. There being no answer—"Is dead?"
"Yes, he fell into a trap intended for me, and was killed on the spot."