"--If I could only get at that creature, Lord Philip!"
"You think it was the shock--killed him?" The hard slow tears had begun again to drop upon her dress.
"Oh! he has been an ill man since May," said Chide, evasively. "No doubt there has been heart mischief--unsuspected--for a long time. The doctors will know--presently. Poor Broadstone!--it will nearly kill him too."
She held out the letter to him.
"You are to read it;" and then, in broken tones, pointing: "look! he said so."
He started as he saw the writing on the back, and again his hand pressed hers kindly.
"He felt ill," she said, brokenly; "he foresaw it. Those are his last words--his precious last words."
She hid her face. As Chide gave it back to her, his brow and lip had settled into the look which made him so formidable in court. He looked round him abruptly.
"Where is the Herald? I hear Mrs. Colwood brought it out."
He searched the grass in vain, and the chairs. Lady Lucy was silent. Presently she rose feebly.