“Very probably. I am not a judge on that point.”
Mrs. Harcourt’s refusal did not alter the friendly relations between Ben and the general. They continued to spend considerable time together. Mrs. Harcourt was so familiar with Switzerland that she did not care to go on many excursions, while he enjoyed them. So he and General Flint were often companions, and the latter extended his stay in Geneva considerably beyond his original intention.
One day in early June on returning rather late in the afternoon from an Alpine jaunt of three days, Ben was received by the servant who admitted him with a grave look.
“Madame, your mother, is very sick, Monsieur Edwin,” he said.
Ben was startled.
“What is the matter?”
“She has had a shock, I think the doctor said.”
“Can I see her?”
“Yes, she wishes to see you.”
Ben hastened to Mrs. Harcourt’s chamber. She was lying on the bed, looking pale, with the drawn face that suggests a paralytic stroke.