"He is dying!—I knew it!"
"No, no, he will live for you!" cried Mattie, wringing her hands together; "go to him!"
Harriet passed into the room, and recoiled for an instant at the utter darkness and blackness of the place she had left so light. Maurice put his hands upon her wrist, and drew her forwards. Dr. Bario's voice arrested him.
"He has fainted—take her out again. He must speak to no one any more to-day."
"But he will die!—oh! sir, will he not die?" cried Harriet.
"He will live; he will be as well in three weeks as ever—please withdraw."
Harriet and Maurice Hinchford came back together.
"There is no use in waiting," Maurice said; "the result is as successful as I anticipated. Let me recommend you to return home at once, Miss Wesden. Miss Gray will accompany you, I am sure."
"Mattie, will you come with me?" asked Harriet, faintly.
Mattie moved like an automaton towards her, and the two went out together arm-in-arm, down the broad staircase to the hall, from the hall to the street, where Maurice's cab still waited for them.