He had transcribed old epitaphs and translated interminable extracts from archives, and bought five Irish manuscripts, all highly illustrative of that history on which he and the doctor were so pleasantly engaged.

It was too late that night to go up to the Elms; but he longed to unpack his trunkful of manuscripts, and to expound to his beloved doctor the treasures he had amassed.
And over his solitary tea-cup and his book the sorrowful news from the Elms reached him, and all his historical castles in the air were shivered.

In the morning, before the town was stirring, he crossed the bridge, and knocked softly at the familiar hall-door.

Honest old John Tracy opened it, and Dan shook hands with him, and both cried for a while quietly.
'How is the honoured master ?' at last said Loftus.
'He's there in the study, Sir.

Thank God, you're come, Sir.