The Earl looked up eagerly as the door was opened, and Kenneth went forward and stood by the bed.
"My lord, you sent for me," he said, gently.
Lord Derwentwater motioned to Sir Lawrence Taylor to come near him. Then Kenneth heard him say in an agitated whisper—
"I must be alone with him. Tell them all to go out."
"My lord, you must promise me not to exert yourself more than is actually necessary."
"I will promise anything, only leave us alone."
At a word from Sir Lawrence Taylor, the nurses left the room at once, the two doctors followed them, and closed the door behind them.
As soon as they were gone, the Earl held out his arms to Kenneth, who was standing motionless by his bed.
"My son—my dear boy, come to me! Will you forgive me? Can you ever forgive me for the way in which I have treated you?"
Kenneth came close to his father, and the Earl put his arms round him and kissed him. He had refused to kiss him when he was about to forsake him, a poor, helpless, motherless babe; but now the kiss, so long withheld, was given, and the father's tears fell fast, as Kenneth knelt down by his bed and took hold of his hand.