“Yes,” said Lady Engleton, “it is the terrible truth.”
The Professor had been growing worse, and at length, his state became so alarming that he decided to return to England. Miss Du Prel and an old friend whom she had met abroad, accompanied him.
“I understand they are all at the Priory,” said Joseph.
“Yes; Miss Du Prel telegraphed to Mrs. Temperley, and Mrs. Temperley and I put our heads together and arranged matters as well as we could in the emergency, so that the Professor’s wish might be gratified. He desired to return to the Priory, where his boyhood was spent.”
“And is there really no hope?”
“None at all, the doctor says.”
“Dear me, dear me!” cried Joseph. “And is he not expected to live through the summer?”
“The summer! ah no, Mr. Fleming, he is not expected to live many days.”
“Dear me, dear me!” was all that Joseph could say. Then after a pause, he added, “I fear Mrs. Temperley will feel it very much. They were such old friends.”
“Oh! poor woman, she is heart-broken.”