The old man regarded the banker for a moment with a look of surprise. Then the expression of the old man's face softened, and he said: "Grey, my arm is weak. I cannot raise it. Take my hand. You will be good to her when I am dead. I know what the world may say. It may say, Grey, that you and I are not equals; that I might have bestowed the guardianship of my daughter's fortune among houses such as the Fleureys' or the Midharsts'. But I know what you are and what your father was, and I am placing what I value above all earthly things in your keeping. I am an old man, and the doctors may be right this time. I am old and weak, Henry Grey, and I want you to be her friend when I am dead. The world may say what it pleases about you as guardian. I am firm in my faith in you. No orphan, friendless—the last, I may say, of her house—had ever a more careful or prudent or wise guardian than you. I am old and weak. There is one more favour I would ask of you before you go—for I have said all. You will not refuse an old man on his death-bed, Henry Grey?"
"No," in a faint thin whisper.
"I am weak, and cannot do it myself. Raise up my hand held in yours, and place your hand against my lips, that I may kiss the hand which is to shield my daughter when I am gone."
"Oh, Sir Alexander!" in a tone of agonized protest.
"I am very old and very weak. You will not, because I am old and weak and cannot raise your hand, deny me this pleasure."
The banker did as he was asked.
When he had placed the cold thin hand back again on the bed, the baronet sighed and murmured: "I am tired. I will try to sleep awhile. You may go, Henry Grey. God bless you, Henry Grey! Now I am at rest!"
With a deep bow to the ladies, Mr. Grey left the room. He went down a passage and then turned into another. Here he was alone, out of sight and earshot. He threw his arms heavily up, straight above his head, and flung himself against the wall with a groan, beat his arms and hands against the wall, and struck his forehead against the wall.
"Do I live?" he cried; "or am I already among the damned?"