“Can you see whether Stephen is alone or not?” demanded Benson with eager interest.
“No, he's not alone, he's bringing Mrs. Landray,” said Gibbs after a moment's pause, in which he had seen two figures leave the carriage.
There was the sound of some one coming up the stairs, and Stephen opened the door and entered the room. He crossed to Benson's bedside.
“Are you ready to see my aunt, Uncle Jake?” he asked.
'"Yes.”
Stephen beckoned Gibbs from the room.
“I think he will wish to see Aunt Virginia alone,” he said.
Virginia came slowly up the stairs. She passed Gibbs and Stephen, and entered the room. The latter closed the door after her. She quietly approached Benson's bedside. He heard the sweep of her garments; he looked up into her face; he saw there a certain wonder and pity.
“It was very good of you to come, Virginia. I don't know that I had any right to expect it,” he said softly.
There was a moment's silence.