The swiftest horse in Florence went clattering over the road in pursuit of the carriage that held Clarence Stuart and his wife and daughter. It was soon overtaken, and the ominous message flashed like a thunder-clap upon their startled senses.
Mrs. Stuart and Lilia uttered shrieks of the wildest dismay.
But Clarence Stuart, after the first shock of surprise, regained his self-possession.
"I must go to him at once," he said. "Mrs. Stuart, I must transfer you and Lilia to one of the other carriages while I return to poor Julius."
To his surprise the lady answered, in sharp, hysterical tones:
"Lilia may go in the carriage with Mrs. Leslie, but I shall return with you to the death-bed of poor Julius."
"I object to your doing so. It may be an unpleasant ordeal for a lady of your delicate nerves," Mr. Stuart said, almost sternly.
"I insist upon going. All the arguments against my doing so will be quite wasted," she exclaimed, doggedly.
"Oh, mamma, do not leave me," cried her daughter, in almost hysterical distress.
But Mrs. Stuart shook off the clinging hands of the weeping girl almost rudely.