He brought the melancholy intelligence that the old gentleman had not indeed actually given up the ghost, but was certainly very near the last gasp, inasmuch as it was now quite impossible to exchange a reasonable word with him, which signified that the Dean had been unable to get him to subscribe the codicil.
The Dean was followed the same day by a number of agents and stewards attached to the Karpathy domains, who hastened to introduce themselves to his Excellency, the heir and their future patron.

They brought still further particulars of the bodily condition of the expiring head of the family.

A village barber had bled him, whereupon he had somewhat recovered his senses.

They had then proposed to send for a doctor, but he had threatened to shoot the man down if he crossed his threshold.

The barber was to remain, however.