“Never despair, sir,—never despair!”
“Well, that's a good maxim. Extraordinary things have sometimes been done when all has been deemed hopeless. Fresh wills have been made almost in extremis. It may be so in my father's case, but I don't think it likely.”
“You must remain in the house to-night, sir. It's your last chance.”
“Is there a chance, Norris?”
“You shall judge for yourself, sir. When I was in your father's room just now, standing by his bedside, he spoke to me about you in a way that showed his good feelings towards you had returned. Evidently, he didn't want Mrs. Calverley to hear what he said; but she was in the dressing-room, though the door was partly open. He asked me, in a low voice, if you were really gone; and seemed much relieved when I told him you were still in the house, but begged me not to mention it to his wife. 'It may alarm, her, Norris,' he said. I couldn't say anything more to him at the time, for she came out of the dressing-room; but I shall have another opportunity to-night. Of one thing I'm certain, sir; but I shall have another opportunity to-night. Of one thing I'm certain, sir—you haven't lost your hold of your father's affections.”
At this moment a slight sound outside caught Chet-wynd's ear.
Wishing to ascertain if there was a listener, he immediately got up, and, opening the door, looked along the passage right and left; but it was quite dark, and he could distinguish no one.
“It was a false alarm,” he said, as he came back. “For the moment I fancied it might be Mrs. Calverley.”
“No fear of that, sir; she never comes down here.”
“Let us go back to my room. I shall feel easier there. After what you've told me, Norris, I shan't think of leaving to-night.”