"I said I would tell you why I started and cried out a while ago. Last night, when I believed myself free, I thought I might speak to Miss Layard----"
"O, my brother! O, this is the cruellest blow that ever fell on man! My heart is breaking for you."
"I did not know last night that your mind was set on Miss Layard."
"Do not speak of me."
"Boland's Ait!" cried a voice from without.
"Hark!" said Bramwell, holding up his finger. "That is Kate's voice. I must go to fetch her home."
CHAPTER XXXIIV.
[CRAWFORD'S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.]
Dr. Loftus pronounced Mrs. Crawford's condition to be very serious. He told her husband he did not expect a fatal termination immediately, but that in such cases there was no knowing what might happen, and it would be prudent that all preparations should be made for the worst. Above all, any violent shock was to be guarded against. There was now, he thought, absolutely no hope of improvement. If she felt equal to it, she might get up, and be wheeled about in her chair. In reply to Crawford's inquiry, the doctor could not tell how far off the end might be--hours, days, weeks.
"Months?"