"Not likely. Mary would wish it so."
"It was so typical of Mary to think of Septimus May before everybody. She put her own feelings from her that she might soften the blow for him."
"She would."
"Are you equal to telling the clergyman at the station that his son is dead, or can't you trust yourself to do it?"
"I expect he'll know it well enough, but I'll tell him everything there is to tell. I remember long ago, after the wedding, that he was interested in haunted rooms, and said he believed in such things on Scriptural grounds."
Sir Walter took pause at this statement.
"That is news to me. Supposing he—However, we need not trouble ourselves with him yet. He will, of course, be as deeply concerned to get to the bottom of this as I am, though we must not interfere, or make the inquiry harder for Hardcastle than he is bound to find it."
"Certainly nobody must interfere. I only hope we can get Peter Hardcastle."
"Tell them to call me when Mr. May arrives, and not sooner. I'll see Mary, then lie down for an hour or two."
"You feel all right? Should you care to see Mannering?"