And beyond this anguish lay other, that he would have put off till its time, but it pressed forward.
"Colvil, you are going home. You go to be consoled. What am I going to?"
On the side-street, the swift tread of horses and the roll of rapid wheels. A wagon stopped before the gate. What a joy Charles Shaler's coming was to have been to us!
He was prepared. He came forward erect and stern. He saluted us gravely in passing, went in and stood beside the bier. He remained gazing intently for a little time,—then, laying his hand lightly on the sacred forehead, raised his look to heaven. He came out composed as he had entered.
Shaler spoke apart with Brompton, and returned to us.
"You would leave this place as soon as possible?" he said to Dr. Borrow.
"Yes."
I had meant to combat the Doctor's desire that I should leave him,—not for my own sake, but because I thought he would need me; but I submitted now. Shaler would assume every care, and I saw that Dr. Borrow yielded himself up implicitly.