"Now I will go and see the boys," said Sir John, rising from his seat.
"Not yet, dear uncle, I beseech you," replied Susan. "Dr. Barnes has given them some soothing medicine which will probably induce sleep; they must not be disturbed for some hours. Moreover, I want you for a brief time all to myself; I have something to tell you which troubles me."
"Really!" said Sir John, as he stooped down and kissed her cheek, "I always thought that you and trouble were far apart!"
"Let us go back into the library," said his niece; "we shall be undisturbed there."
"This sounds serious!" said Sir John.
"It is serious—or at least I fear so," replied Susan.
Once more in the library, the Treasurer seated himself in one of the great leather chairs, and Susan, bringing a footstool to his side, sat down beside him.
The two made a striking picture.
Sir John's noble and pensive face was lighted up by a gentle and loving smile as he gazed down on his niece's fair face.
This morning she had not tied her hair, and the long golden locks fell in rich profusion over her shoulders. Her morning gown was simplicity itself; its pure whiteness was unrelieved by colour but for a waistband of blue silk; she wore no ornament save that on her shapely finger a ring beset with diamonds glittered in the sunlight—it was surely a love gift!