Mattie turned very pale at the first sight of Maurice.
"I am wanted—and, oh dear, my father has just gone out!"
"No, you are not wanted yet a while, Miss Gray. Pray, compose yourself, I bring you very little news."
"Sidney—he is well?"
"Very well—Dr. Bario has not given him notice to prepare for the great experiment yet awhile," said Maurice; "but I thought that you might be anxious about him, Miss Gray, and that any little news might be acceptable."
"You are very kind—yes, any news of Sidney is ever most acceptable."
"Even from such a scamp as I am?" he said, with his eyes twinkling.
"Sidney has forgiven you—that is enough, sir."
"Ah! but yours was a left-handed wrong, and the heaviest share of it might have fallen to your lot."
"But it has not. Pray don't talk of it again."