“Certainly not,” said Sir Timothy, stiffly.  “Lady Mary has never been troubled with business matters.  That is why I urged John to come down with me.  In case—­anything—­happens to-morrow, his support will be invaluable to her.  I have a high opinion of him.  He has succeeded in life through his own energy, and he is the only member of my family who has never applied to me for assistance.  I inquired the reason on the journey down, for I know that at one time he was in very poor circumstances; and he replied that he would rather have starved than have asked me for sixpence.  I call that a very proper spirit.”

The doctor made no comment on the anecdote.  “May I ask how Lady Mary is bearing this suspense?” he asked.

“Lady Mary knows nothing of the matter,” said the squire, rather peevishly.

“You have not prepared her?”

“No; and I particularly desire she and my sisters should hear nothing of it.  If this is to be my last evening on earth, I should not wish it to be clouded by tears and lamentations, which might make it difficult for me to maintain my own self-command.  Herslett said I was not to be agitated.  I shall bid them all good night just as usual.  In the morning I beg you will be good enough to make the necessary explanations.  Lady Mary need hear nothing of it till it is over, for you know she never leaves her room before twelve—­a habit I have often deplored, but which is highly convenient on this occasion.”

Dr. Blundell reflected for a moment.  “May I venture to remonstrate with you, Sir Timothy?” he said.  “I fear Lady Mary may be deeply shocked and hurt at being thus excluded from your confidence in so serious a case.  Should anything go wrong,” he added bluntly, “it would be difficult to account to her even for my own reticence.”

Sir Timothy rose majestic from his chair.  “You will say that I forbade you to make the communication,” he said, with rather a displeased air.

“I beg your pardon,” said Dr. Blundell, “but—­”

“I am not offended,” interrupted Sir Timothy, mistaking remonstrance for apology.  He was quite honestly incapable of supposing that his physician would presume to argue with him.

“You do not, very naturally, understand Lady Mary’s disposition as well as I do,” he said, almost graciously.  “She has been sheltered from anxiety, from trouble of every kind, since her childhood.  To me, more than a quarter of a century her senior, she seems, indeed, still almost a child.”

Dr. Blundell coloured.  “Yet she is the mother of a grown-up son,” he said.

“Peter grown-up!  Nonsense!  A schoolboy.”

“Eighteen,” said the doctor, shortly.  “You don’t wish him sent for?”

“Most certainly not.  The Christmas holidays are only just over.  Rest assured, Dr. Blundell,” said Sir Timothy, with grim emphasis, “that I shall give Peter no excuse for leaving his work, if I can help it.”