’I left home by the first train after hearing.  I ought to have heard sooner.’

’I could not suppose you would choose to come here without serious reason,’ said Oliver, with more dignity than usual.  ’However, I would willingly forget, and you will remain here for the present.’

‘I must apologize for having thrust myself on you, sir,’ said Louis, ’but, indeed, I could not stay away.  After what she has been to me, ever since I can remember her—­’ and tears cut him short.

‘Sir, it does you honour!’ returned Oliver.  ’She was attached to you.  I hope you will not leave us as yet.’

Louis felt as if he could not leave the house where what was mortal of his dear old aunt yet remained, and he likewise had a perception that he might be a support and assistance to Clara in keeping the peace between her brother and uncle; so he gratefully accepted the invitation.

Mr. Dynevor presently explained that he intended the funeral to take place at the end of the week.

‘I can not be so long from home,’ said James, in a quick, low voice.

Clara ran up to her uncle, laid her hand on his arm, and drew him into a window, whence he presently turned, saying, ’Your sister tells me that you cannot be so long absent in the present state of your family.  If possible, the day shall be hastened.’

James was obliged to say, ‘Thank you!’ but any concession seemed to affect him like an injury.

Grievous work was it to remain at Cheveleigh, under the constant dread of some unbecoming outbreak between uncle and nephew.  Fortunately, Oliver had too much on his hands to have much time to spend with the others; but when they were together, there was scarcely a safe subject, not even the intended names of the twins.  James made hasty answer that they had already received their names, Mercy and Salome.  Louis and Clara both cried out incredulously.

‘Yes,’ said James.  ‘We don’t like family names.’

‘But such as those!’

’I wish nothing better for them than to be such another pair of faithful sisters.  May they only do as well, poor children!’

The end was softer than the beginning, and there was a tight short sigh, that seemed to burst upward from a whole world of suppressed anxiety and despondence.

It was not easy to understand him, he would not talk of home, was brief about his little Catharine; and when Clara said something of Isabel’s writings, formerly his great pride, and feared that she would have no more time for them, his blunt answer was, ’She ought not.’

These comparatively indifferent topics were the only resource; for he treated allusions to his grandmother as if they were rending open a wound, and it was only in his absence that Louis and Clara could hold the conversations respecting her, which were their chief comfort and relief.  If they were certain that Oliver was busy, and James writing letters, they would walk up and down the sheltered alley, where Louis had last year comforted Clara.  The green twilight and chequered shade well accorded with the state of their minds, darkened, indeed, by one of the severest losses that could ever befall either of them, and yet it was a sorrow full of thankfulness and blessed hope.