Hildebrand cast a hasty and confused glance towards the couch as he replied—
"I have matters of moment just now that weigh heavily on my spirit. I cannot"——
Here was a short pause; he continued, with a slow and tremulous accent—
"I hope the children are safe."
"Why, master," said Geoffery, "you have sent them out of harm's way, I hope; but—I know not what ails me—an uneasy night of it I have had about them."
"What hast thou seen?" eagerly demanded Hildebrand.
"Seen! I have seen nothing, but I have been haunted at all quarters by a vast crowd of vexatious busy dreams—about cut-throats and murderers."
"Who says murderer?—I will have thee in the stocks."
Hildebrand attempted to lay hold on him as he spoke; but, accustomed to these outbreaks of temper, Master Hardpiece merely stepped on one side, still maintaining his usual forward and self-sufficient demeanour.
"Mr Hildebrand Wentworth, when an old servant"——