“Well, sir, please tell us why you are standing here.”
“I came to speak to Miss June,” Paul answered in a trembling voice.
“Speak, and be gone, then.”
June wondered that Mr. Linton dare speak in tones of such austerity to a member of her family, but she was the hostess and Mr. Linton her guest, so she offered no rebuke.
“Why don’t you speak? Are you trying to frame an excuse?”
Paul’s eyes flashed forth a strange, fiery light, but instantly melted to one of dreamy sadness, and in a voice full of emotion he said:
“Pardon me, Miss June, but you will be obliged to come to your father’s room. He has been taken with a 123 bad hemorrhage, and a heart spasm. Your mother and brother are with him, and the physician has been sent for, but he seems to be growing worse. I looked for your sister, but could not find her.”
“She is promenading with Mr. Brunswick. Mr. Linton, you will please find her, and send her to us, will you not?” June asked, and then a low moan escaped the lips which had grown so deadly white.
“Go. I will send her,” Mr. Linton replied.
He found Rene seated on a rustic bench beside Max, with her hand clasped in his. She received the message which he delivered seemingly much agitated, but she did not arise, and Mr. Linton walked away, leaving them as he found them.