She even got out a tiny laced pocket-handkerchief; but before she had had time to weep much into it, and spoil her pretty eyes, the doctor reappeared, accompanied by Charles and Ralph, and we all learned to our great relief that Sir George, though undoubtedly ill, was not dangerously so at present, though the greatest care would be necessary.
Lady Mary had undertaken the nursing of her brother-in-law, and in her the doctor expressed the same confidence which parents are wont to feel in a stern school-master.

In the mean time the patient was to be kept very quiet, and on no account to be disturbed.
When the doctor had left, Ralph and Aurelia, who had actually seen nothing of each other that morning, sauntered away together towards the library.

Charles challenged Carr to finish his game of billiards, and Marston and I retired up-stairs to the smoking-room, where we could talk over our Indian experiences, and perhaps doze undisturbed.

We might have been so occupied for half an hour or more when a flying step came up the stairs, the door was thrown open, and Ralph rushed into the room.
"General Marston! Colonel Middleton!" he gasped out, breathing hard, "will you, both of you, come to my father's room at once?
He has sent for you." "Good gracious! Is he worse ?" I exclaimed.
"No.

Hush! Don't ask anything, but just come,"-- and he turned and led the way to Sir George Danvers's room.
We followed in wondering silence, and, after passing along numerous passages, were ushered into a large oak-panelled room with a great carved bed in it, in the middle of which, bolt-upright, sat Sir George Danvers, pale as ivory, his light steel eyes (so like Charles's) seeming to be the only living thing about him.
As we came in he looked at each of us in turn.
"Where is Charles ?" he said, speaking in a hoarse whisper.
"Dear me! Sir George," I said, sympathetically, "how you _have_ lost your voice!" He looked at me for a moment, and then turned to Ralph again.
"Where is Charles ?" he asked a second time, in the same tone.
"Here!" said a quiet voice.