"You had better stay in here, dear," said Mrs Maybury; "anybody else will only be in the way, at present."
"I am only going into the dining-room," said Dora.
How long she waited in the dining-room, Dora never knew. It seemed like a lifetime. She heard the police go out and shut the front door after them, and later she heard the front door opened and closed again, and yet again. At length, after what seemed an interminable period, Mr Maybury came into the dining-room. His face was very grave.
"Father--tell me the truth!"
Dora was looking at him with beseeching eyes that would brook no subterfuge.
"The doctor says," replied Mr Maybury, "that he will not live more than twenty-four hours."
Dora hid her face on his shoulder.
"Oh, father, father," she sobbed, "if he dies my heart will break!"
Mr. Maybury gently disengaged himself from her embrace, and looked steadily into her face.
"Dora, tell me! do you love him?"