But there was a light cry, “Barney!” and, looking up, they all saw, standing at the head of the great staircase, a figure slight and frail, but radiant. It was Iola.
“Pardon me, Lady Ruthven,” said Barney, and was off three steps at a time.
“Come, children.” Swiftly Lady Ruthven motioned them into the library that opened off the hall, where they stood gazing at each other, awed and silent.
“Heaven help them!” at length gasped Jack.
“Let go my arm, Dr. Charrington,” said Miss Ruthven. “You are hurting me.”
“Your pardon, a thousand times. I didn't know. This is more than I can well stand.”
“It will be well to leave them for a time, Dr. Charrington,” said Lady Ruthven, with a quiet dignity that subdued all emotion and recalled them to self-control. “You will see that Dr. Boyle gets to his room?”
“I shall go up with you, Lady Ruthven, a little later,” replied Jack. “Yes, I confess,” he continued, answering Miss Ruthven's look, “I am a coward. I am afraid to see him. He takes things tremendously. He was quite mad about her years ago, fiercely mad about her, and when the break came it almost ruined him. How he will stand this, I don't know, but I am afraid to see him.”
“This will be a terrible strain for her, Lady Ruthven,” said Alan. “It should not be prolonged, do you think?”
“It is well that they should be alone for a time,” she replied, her own experience making her wise in the ways of the breaking heart.