3/23 The ageing man, enfeebled with sickness, had grown to lean on the strong young intellect. As much as it was in Mr.Verner's nature to love anything, he loved Lionel. He beckoned him to a chair beside himself. "Matthew," he whispered, laying his hand kindly on the old man's shoulder as he passed, and bending down to him with his sympathising eyes, his pleasant voice, "I am grieved for this as if it had been my own sister. Believe me." "I know it; I know you, Mr.Lionel," was the faint answer. |