'Not for any other upon earth,' said the colonel soberly. 'But I shall not be here, William. I am failing constantly. Slowly, if you please, but constantly. I am not as strong as I look, and I am far less well than your father believes. I should know best; and I know I am failing. If you remain in England three years, or even two years, when you come back I shall not be here.'
'I hope you are mistaken, colonel.'
'I am not mistaken.'
There was silence a few minutes. Pitt did not place unqualified trust in this judgment, even although, as he could not deny, the colonel might be supposed to know best. He doubted the truth of the prognostication; yet, on the other hand, he could not be sure that it was false. What if it were not false?
'I hope you are mistaken, colonel,' he said again; 'but if you are right—if it should be so as you fear'—
'I do not fear it,' put in the colonel, interrupting him.
'Not for yourself; but if it should be so,—what will become of Esther?'
'It was of her I wished to speak. She will be here.'
'Here in this house? She would be alone.'
'I should be away. But Mrs. Barker would look after her.'