Poor little Mrs Bolter uttered a sob, and raised Hilton’s hand to her lips and kissed it for the words he had uttered, for she dared not trust herself to speak!
“Good-bye,” said the Resident again. “All this is as good as dead, and quite forgotten!”
“Yes, yes,” said little Mrs Bolter. “You will keep a sharp look-out for dear Arthur. I feel sure he is wandering about somewhere, half-starved, but loaded with specimens that he has found.”
“Good-bye, Miss Stuart,” said Hilton, in a low, grave voice, for he felt deeply moved, and his heart had seemed to swell within his breast as he looked on while she had seemed to lead and control her excited, passion-swayed friend. “Wish me success, for I shall try, while I have life, to restore to you your unfortunate friend.”
“Yes,” she said, softly; and the sad tears stood in her eyes. “I wish you success.”
“Helen Perowne will need all your love and sympathy when we bring her back.”
“As I pray Heaven you will,” she said, quietly. “You will have our constant prayers for your safety. Good-bye.”
“Good-bye.”
Their hands touched for a moment, and a thrill of misery flew to each heart.
“How he must love her!” thought Grey. “Oh! Helen, how can you trifle with him as you do?”