"I hope not, Michael. I shall run. You can take your time."
And with these words the banker started off at a quick pace.
He found Mrs. Grant sobbing violently, and for a while quite unable to command her voice. At length, after a few reassuring and encouraging words from the banker, she spoke through her sobs.
"Oh, Mr. Grey! Oh, my poor darling Maud! Oh, Mr. Grey, what are we to do?"
"It will be kindest and wisest," said he, in a conciliatory voice, "if we all try to keep as calm as we can under the circumstances. Michael told me the doctors had been here, and that the news is bad; but I do not know yet what the news is."
"Oh, my poor child! Mr. Grey, you can't tell how I feel. I, who have been with her now more than six years, until I have grown to look upon her as a daughter. Oh, Mr. Grey, this is dreadful!"
"There is nothing the matter with Miss Midharst, I trust. She is quite well?"
"Quite well."
"In health, I mean?"
"Oh, yes. But think of her thrown out of her father's place without a home or a relative, and so young and so simple."