'Like my father, you think?' said Roland coldly.
'Yes—and for his sake it is perhaps not too late—too late——'
'For what?' he asked, as her lip quivered and she paused.
'Time will show,' she replied, as one of her spasms made her lip quiver again, and her breath came short and heavily.
'Is there anything Maude or I can do for you—speak, please?' said Roland, starting up.
'Nothing—but do give me your arm to the door of my own room, and ring for Mrs. Drugget.'
He gave her his escort tenderly and courteously; and thus ended a brief interview—the first pleasant one he had ever had with 'the usurper' of his patrimony, and which he was to recall at a future time.
Whether or not Annot Drummond was thinking over Hester's cloudy and alarming communications it is difficult to say; but she said to the latter after a most effusive meeting with her fiancé:
'What has come over Roland since his visit to Edinburgh? He looks shockingly ill—so changed—so triste—what does it all mean?'
'I told you he went there on business, and that seems to have always its worries—all the greater, perhaps, to those who detest or know nothing about it.'