The breakfast passed over without further allusion to the catastrophe at the Hall till towards the end, when Salis said suddenly:
“I have a very unpleasant duty to perform.”
Mary looked up anxiously.
“Yes, dear; I must go over and see Thomas Candlish.”
Leo bent over her cup.
“It is a duty that I must fulfil, North.”
“Yes,” said the doctor gravely; “especially at a time like this.”
“How horrible!”
And when the doctor left soon after, and he shook hands with his friend again, the latter once more exclaimed:
“How horrible!”