CHAPTER IX.
FAMILY COUNCILS.
When the girls and Aunt Letty went to their chambers that night, Herbert returned to his mother's own dressing-room, and there, seated over the fire with her, discussed the matter of his father's sudden attack.

He had been again with his father, and Sir Thomas had seemed glad to have him there; but now he had left him for the night.
"He will sleep now, mother," said the son; "he has taken laudanum." "I fear he takes that too often now." "It was good for him to have it to-night.

He did not get too much, for I dropped it for him." And then they sat silent for a few moments together.
"Mother," said Herbert, "who can this man have been ?" "I have no knowledge--no idea--no guess even," said Lady Fitzgerald.
"It is that man's visit that has upset him." "Oh, certainly.

I think there is no doubt of that.

I was waiting for the man to go, and went in almost before he was out of the house." "Well ?" "And I found your father quite prostrated." "Not on the floor ?" "No, not exactly on the floor.