Audrey still gazed at him; but Michael's grave manner left her in no doubt as to the seriousness of the matter, and her eyes looked a little troubled.
'Go, dear,' he repeated gently; 'it will be best for you to hear it from him.'
Then she left him without another word, and went straight to the study.
It seemed as though her father expected her, for he looked at her as she came slowly towards him, and put out his hand.
'You have come to talk to me, my darling. Sit down beside me. No, not that chair; it is too far off. Come closer to me, my child.'
Then, as Audrey obeyed him, she felt a sense of growing uneasiness. What did that sorrowful tenderness in her father's voice mean? For the moment her courage failed her, and her lips could not frame the question she had come to ask.
'You want me to tell you about Cyril's trouble?'
Then she sat and gazed at him in speechless dread.
Dr. Ross cleared his throat and shifted his spectacles. He began to find his task difficult.
'If I only knew how to prepare you, Audrey! But I can think of no words that will break the force of such a shock. I will tell you one thing: a few hours ago Cyril was as ignorant of the great trouble that has befallen him as you are at this present moment.'