Robin made no resistance; he went along with his head down.
"I heard a word said to-night, sir, as Miss Sibylla had come back," he resumed, more calmly; "Mrs. Massingbird, that is. Somebody said they saw her at the station. Have you seen her, sir?"
"Yes; I have," replied Lionel.
"Does she say anything about John Massingbird?" continued the man, with feverish eagerness. "Is he dead? or is he alive?"
"He is dead, Robin. There has never been a doubt upon the point since the news first came. He died by violence."
"Then he got his deserts," returned Robin, lifting his hand in the air, as he had done once before when speaking upon the same subject. "And Luke Roy, sir? Is he coming? I'm a-waiting for him."
"Of Luke, Mrs. Massingbird knows nothing. For myself, I think he is sure to come home, sooner or later."
"Heaven send him!" aspirated Robin.
Lionel saw the man turn to his home, and very soon afterwards he was at his mother's. Lady Verner had retired for the night. Decima and Lucy were about retiring. They had risen from their seats, and Decima—who was too cautious to trust it to servants—was taking the fire off the grate. They looked inexpressibly surprised at the entrance of Lionel.
"I have come an a visit, Decima," began he, speaking in a gay tone. "Can you take me in?"