She turned to William. "Will you return with me? I have a claim on you," she reiterated eagerly.
He shook his head. "I accompany Mr. Ashley to the meeting."
She was obliged to be satisfied, turned abruptly, and left the room, William attending her to the door.
"What d'you call that?" asked Henry, lifting his voice for the first time.
"Call it?" repeated his sister.
"Yes, Mrs. Mary; call it. Cheek, I should say."
"Hush, Henry," said Mr. Ashley.
"Very well, sir. It's cheek all the same, though."
As Mr. Ashley surmised, the misfortune had already got wind, and the unhappy Dares were besieged that day by clamorous creditors. When Mr. Ashley and William arrived there, for they walked up at the conclusion of the public meeting, they found Mr. Dare seated alone in the dining-room; that sad dining-room which had witnessed the tragical end of Anthony. He cowered over the fire, his thin hands stretched out to the blaze. He was not altogether childish; but his memory failed, and he was apt to fall into fits of wandering. Mr. Ashley drew forward a chair and sat down by him.
"I fear things do not look very bright," he observed. "We called in at your office as we came by, and found a seizure was also put in there."