' Last night I saw your grandfather."
"Dreamed of him?"
"Well, then, call it a dream. I saw your grandfather. He was in this
room; he was sorting the papers he left; and, as I watched his hands, he
lifted his head and looked at me. I have got my orders, I feel that. But
wait not now, I will follow you anon."
In the "Seat" there was a distinct feeling of consummating calamity. The
servants had come to a state of mind in which the expectation was rather
a relief. They were only afraid the squire might rally again. In Mrs.
Sandal's heart there was that resentful resignation which says to
sorrow, "Do thy worst. I am no longer able to resist, or even to plead."
Charlotte only clung to her dream of hope, and refused to be wakened
from it. She was sure her father had been worse many a time. She was
almost cross at Ducie's unusual visit.
About four o'clock Steve had a long interview with the squire. Charlotte
walked restlessly to and fro in the corridor; she heard Steve's voice,
strong and kind and solemn, and she divined what promises he was making
to the dying man for herself and for her mother. But even her love did
not anticipate their parting words,--
"Farewell, Stephen. Yet one word more. If Harry should come back--what
of Harry? Eh? What?"
"I will stand by him. I will put my hand in his hand, and my foot with
his foot. They that wrong Harry will wrong me, they that shame Harry
will shame me.
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