“I—I have not strength now to bear me up against these sudden surprises. Can it be really he, and I, listening with so much indifference to what touched me so nearly, and yet it cannot be—I dare not question him.”
“Are you better, sir?” said Albert.
“Yes—yes, better now. Ring yon bell, and order wine.”
Albert rung a lusty peal upon the bell, and an attendant promptly answered the summons, standing respectfully for orders.
Learmont rose and approached the man, who became evidently much frightened lest his imperious master was for some real or imagined fault going to execute summary vengeance upon him.
“Mercy, sir, your worship,” he cried.
“Fool!” growled Learmont, as he reached the door; and then inclining his head close to the man’s ear he said;—“If Jacob Gray should come while this young gentleman is with me, show him into a room, but do not announce him.”
“Yes, yes, your worship.”
“Make no mistake, or I will have you hung, fellow.”
“No—no—no, your worship, I won’t make any mistake, I ain’t to announce Jac—”