‘It’s weaker,’ the colonel resumed.  ’By the way, Romfrey, step out with me.  My dear friend, the circumstances will excuse me:  you know I’m not a man to take liberties.  I’m bound to tell you what your wife writes to me.  She says she has it on her conscience, and can’t rest for it.  You know women.  She wants you to speak to the man here—­Shrapnel.  She wants Nevil to hear that you and he were friendly before he dies; thinks it would console the poor dear fellow.  That’s only an idea; but it concerns her, you see.  I’m shocked to have to talk to you about it.’

‘My dear colonel, I have no feeling against the man,’ Lord Romfrey replied.  ’I spoke to him when I saw him yesterday.  I bear no grudges.  Where is he?  You can send to her to say I have spoken to him twice.’

‘Yes, yes,’ the colonel assented.

He could not imagine that Lady Romfrey required more of her husband.  ’Well, I must be off.  I leave Blackburn Tuckham here, with a friend of his; a man who seems to be very sweet with Mrs. Wardour-Devereux.’

‘Ha!  Fetch him to me, colonel; I beg you to do that,’ said Lord Romfrey.

The colonel brought out Lydiard to the earl.

‘You have been at my nephew’s bedside, Mr. Lydiard?’

‘Within ten minutes, my lord.’

‘What is your opinion of the case?’

‘My opinion is, the chances are in his favour.’

’Lay me under obligation by communicating that to Romfrey Castle at the first opening of the telegraph office to-morrow morning.’

Lydiard promised.

‘The raving has ended?’

‘Hardly, sir, but the exhaustion is less than we feared it would be.’

‘Gannet is there?’

‘He is in an arm-chair in the room.’

‘And Dr. Shrapnel?’

‘He does not bear speaking to; he is quiet.’

‘He is attached to my nephew?’

‘As much as to life itself.’

Lord Romfrey thanked Lydiard courteously.  ’Let us hope, sir, that some day I shall have the pleasure of entertaining you, as well as another friend of yours.’

‘You are very kind, my lord.’

The earl stood at the door to see Colonel Halkett drive off:  he declined to accompany him to Mount Laurels.

In the place of the carriage stood a man, who growled ’Where’s your horsewhip, butcher?’

He dogged the earl some steps across the common.  Everard returned to his hotel and slept soundly during the remainder of the dark hours.

CHAPTER LII

QUESTION OF A PILGRIMAGE AND AN ACT OF PENANCE