“Is it the provision he might have had, Lord Holchester, if—?”

“If he had married Mrs. Glenarm?  No.  It is impossible, consistently with my duty to my mother, and with what I owe to the position in which my father’s death has placed me, that I can offer him such a fortune as Mrs. Glenarm’s.  Still, it is a handsome income which he is mad enough to refuse.  I shall persist in pressing it on him.  He must and shall take it.”

Anne felt no reviving hope roused in her by his last words.  She turned to another subject.

“You had something to tell me,” she said.  “You spoke of a change.”

“True.  The landlady here is a very strange person; and she has done a very strange thing.  She has given Geoffrey notice to quit these lodgings.”

“Notice to quit?” Anne repeated, in amazement.

“Yes.  In a formal letter.  She handed it to me open, as soon as I was up this morning.  It was impossible to get any explanation from her.  The poor dumb creature simply wrote on her slate:  ’He may have his money back, if he likes:  he shall go!’ Greatly to my surprise (for the woman inspires him with the strongest aversion) Geoffrey refuses to go until his term is up.  I have made the peace between them for to-day.  Mrs. Dethridge very reluctantly, consents to give him four-and-twenty hours.  And there the matter rests at present.”

“What can her motive be?” said Anne.

“It’s useless to inquire.  Her mind is evidently off its balance.  One thing is clear, Geoffrey shall not keep you here much longer.  The coming change will remove you from this dismal place—­which is one thing gained.  And it is quite possible that new scenes and new surroundings may have their influence on Geoffrey for good.  His conduct—­otherwise quite incomprehensible—­may be the result of some latent nervous irritation which medical help might reach.  I don’t attempt to disguise from myself or from you, that your position here is a most deplorable one.  But before we despair of the future, let us at least inquire whether there is any explanation of my brother’s present behavior to be found in the present state of my brother’s health.  I have been considering what the doctor said to me last night.  The first thing to do is to get the best medical advice on Geoffrey’s case which is to be had.  What do you think?”

“I daren’t tell you what I think, Lord Holchester.  I will try—­it is a very small return to make for your kindness—­I will try to see my position with your eyes, not with mine.  The best medical advice that you can obtain is the advice of Mr. Speedwell.  It was he who first made the discovery that your brother was in broken health.”

“The very man for our purpose!  I will send him here to-day or to-morrow.  Is there any thing else I can do for you?  I shall see Sir Patrick as soon as I get to town.  Have you any message for him?”

Anne hesitated.  Looking attentively at her, Julius noticed that she changed color when he mentioned Sir Patrick’s name.