He has been very calm, all the way down, and has spoken of you often." "I will do my best," Lisle muttered, keeping down his tears with a tremendous effort; and then went into his father's room.
He could not trust himself to speak a word but, walking up, took his father's hand and, kneeling down, pressed it to his lips, his whole form shaking with agitation.
"I am glad I have held out until I got back," his father said, in a low voice.

"It is all up with me, my boy, and I have only a few hours to live, at most.

I am sorry, now, that you did not start for England before this happened; but I have no doubt that it is all for the best.

I shall die, as I should wish to die, doing my duty and, except for leaving you, I shall feel small regret." "Must you leave me, father ?" Lisle sobbed.
"Yes, my boy, I have known it from the first.

It is only my intense desire to see you again that has kept me up.