I came downstairs myself, and looked into your
room. You were fast asleep, and I wouldn't disturb you."
"That was very wrong; but it was of a piece with the rest of your
conduct, which has been from first to last antagonistic to me. I suppose
I can see my stepdaughter now," Mr. Sheldon added, with a grim smile.
"There is no further excuse--about headache--or sleep."
"No, sir, you cannot see her yet. In an hour, if you wish to come into
this room, you can come."
"You are extremely obliging. I begin to doubt whether I am really in my
own house. In an hour, then, I will come. Where is my wife?"
"In her own room, sir, lying down; asleep, I believe."
"I will not disturb her. How about the registration, by-the-by? That
must be seen to."
"Dr. Jedd has promised to attend to that, sir."
"Has Dr. Jedd been here?"
"He was here an hour ago."
"Very good. And he will see to that," muttered Mr. Sheldon thoughtfully.
The event for which he had been so long waiting seemed at the last a
little sudden. It had shaken his nerves more than he had supposed it
possible that they could be shaken.
He went to his dressing-room, and on this occasion made a very hasty
toilet. The event had been tardy, and he had no time to lose in
discounting it now that it had come to pass. He went from his
dressing-room back to his study, took the jacket containing the policies
of assurance and the will from the deed-box, and left the house.
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