'Yes, but I imagine he'll chuck all that,' and Springfield seemed like a man speaking to himself.
'Oh, I hope not,' said Lorna.
'You hope not!' and her father spoke as if in astonishment.
'Yes,' cried the girl. 'It was so fine—and so true. When I read his speech in The Times, I felt just as he did.'
'Nonsense, Lorna! Why, if he stands by his crazy words, he'll still be a poor man with nothing but his pay to live on. He'll sacrifice one of the finest fortunes in England.'
Almost unconsciously I looked towards George St. Mabyn, whom I had almost forgotten in my excitement, and I saw that he looked like a haunted man. His face was drawn and haggard, although I judged he had been drinking freely through dinner. I called to mind the words Edgecumbe had uttered just before Lord and Lady Carbis came into the room, and I wondered what they meant.
'No,' said Sir Thomas, who was evidently thinking of his daughter's words, 'he'll not be fool enough for that. What do you think, Luscombe?'
I was silent, for in truth I did not know what to say. In one sense Sir Thomas had reason on his side, for such an act would seem like madness. But I was by no means sure. I had known Edgecumbe for more than two years, and I did not believe that even the shock which led him to recover his memory, could change his strong determined nature.
The ladies left the room just then, but a few seconds later Lorna
Bolivick returned and came straight towards me.
'He wants you,' she said, and I saw that her eyes burnt with excitement.