‘My poor child,’ he said gently, ‘I am come to see if I can help you.’
‘Oh! so good of you,’ and she squeezed his hand tightly, in the effort perhaps not to give way.
‘I fear your mother is very ill.’
‘Very ill,’ said Kalliope. ‘Richard came last night, and he let her know what we had kept from her; but she is calmer now.’
‘Then your brother Richard is here.’
‘Yes; he is gone up to Mr. White’s.’
‘He is in a solicitor’s office, I think. Will he be able to undertake the case?’
‘Oh no, no’—the white cheek flushed, and the hand trembled. ‘There is a Leeds family here, and he is afraid of their finding out that he has any connection with this matter. He says it would be ruin to his prospects.’
‘Then we must do our best without him,’ Sir Jasper said in a fatherly voice, inexpressively comforting to the desolate wounded spirit. ‘I will not keep you long from your mother, but will you answer me a few questions? Your brother tells me—’
She looked up almost radiantly, ‘You have seen him?’