Then came the morrow, when he had to look his life in the face again—­life that he found so bitter without Madaline.  He began to remember his father, who, lying sick unto death, craved for his presence.  He could do no more for Madaline; all his grief, his tears, his bitter sorrow, were useless; he could not bring her back; he was powerless where she was concerned.  But with regard to his father matters were different—­to him he could take comfort, healing, and consolation.  So it was decided that he should at once continue his broken journey.

What of little Madaline, the child who had her dead mother’s large blue eyes and golden hair?  Again Lord Charlewood and the doctor sat in solemn conclave; this time the fate of the little one hung in the balance.

Lord Charlewood said that if he found his father still weak and ill, he should keep the secret of his marriage.  Of course, if Madaline had lived, all would have been different—­he would have proudly owned it then.  But she was dead.  The child was so young and so feeble, it seemed doubtful whether it would live.  What need then to grieve the old earl by the story of his folly and his disobedience?  Let the secret remain.  Stephen Letsom quite agreed with him in this; no one knew better than himself how dangerous was the telling of bad or disagreeable news to a sick man.  And then Lord Charlewood added: 

“You have indeed been a friend in need to me, Dr. Letsom.  Money can no more repay such help as yours than can thanks; all my life I shall be grateful to you.  I am going now to Italy, and most probably shall remain there until the earl, my father, grows better, or the end comes.  When I return to England, my first care shall be to forward your views and prospects in life; until then I want you to take charge of my child.”

Stephen Letsom looked up, with something like a smile.

“I shall be a rough nurse,” he observed.

“You understand me,” said Lord Charlewood.  “You have lived here so long that you know the place and every one in it, I have been thinking so much of my little one.  It would be absurd for me to take her to Italy; and as, for my father’s sake, I intend to keep my marriage a secret for some time longer, I cannot send her to any of my own relatives or friends.  I think the best plan will be for you to find some healthy, sensible woman, who would be nurse and foster-mother to her.”

“That can easily be managed,” remarked Stephen Letsom.

“Then you will have both child and nurse entirely under your own control.  You can superintend all arrangements made for the little one’s benefit.  I have thought of offering to send you five hundred per annum, from which you can pay what you think proper for the child.  You can purchase what is needful for her, and you will have an income for yourself.  That I beg you accept in return for the services you have rendered me.”

Dr. Letsom expressed his gratitude.  He thanked Lord Charlewood and began at once to look around for some one who would be a fitting person to take care of little Madaline.  Lord Charlewood had expressed a desire to see all settled before leaving for Italy.