CHAPTER XXXVII.
Old Lady Alice talks with Guy.
As Varbarriere, followed by Doocey and Guy, entered the hall, they saw Dives cross hurriedly to the library and shut the door. Varbarriere followed and knocked. Dives, very pallid, opened it, and looked hesitatingly in his face for a moment, and then said—
"Come in, come in, pray, and shut the door. You'll be—you'll be shocked, sir. He's gone—gone. Poor Jekyl! It's a terrible thing. He's gone, sir, quite suddenly."
His puffy, bilious hand was on Varbarriere's arm with a shifting pressure, and Varbarriere made no answer, but looked in his face sternly and earnestly.
"There's that poor girl, you know—my niece. And—and all so unexpected. It's awful, sir."
"I'm very much shocked, sir. I had not an idea there was any danger. I thought him looking very far from actual danger. I'm very much shocked."
"And—and things a good deal at sixes and sevens, I'm afraid," said Dives—"law business, you know."
"Perhaps it would be well to detain Mr. Pelter, who is, I believe, still here," suggested Varbarriere.
"Yes, certainly; thank you," answered Dives, eagerly ringing the bell.