“Dress instantly, and quick come down,” was the reply. The window closed, and in a few minutes the advocate, with his morning gown thrown over him, opened the door.
“Why how is this?” he demanded in astonishment, as he beheld Claude on the footwalk, whip in one hand, and with the other holding his horse by the bridle.
Claude stood silent.
“How is this?” reiterated the advocate: “Out with it, man. Is your father wild? does he threaten to disinherit you?”
“Not that, but worse:” Claude answered; “worse than your worst suspicions, and it may be worse than the death of one you much regard.”
“Has any thing evil happened to my ward?” asked the advocate, exhibiting alarm. “Why do you pause? Inform me quickly.”
“Too quickly, perhaps, I shall inform you,” replied Claude, deprecatingly. “Something evil has happened to your ward. Arm yourself now with firmness, and be calm; be cool in judgment, prompt in execution; you who can counsel others, now prepare to be the best counsellor to yourself.”
“What act shall follow this preamble?” said the lawyer, raising his thick, white, shaggy eyebrows in enquiring wonder: “Go on, go on;” he commanded in a short, gasping utterance; “declare the pains and penalties. She lives? Amanda lives? Has she proved false? You have not lost her?”
“Lost her! oh!” exclaimed Claude, unable to curb his emotion.
“Nay, confess it; announce the worst; the broadest misfortune; my ears are open for it,” pursued the other.