And thou, was it not that thou wert also coming to make
thy home here for some days, until thy day of marriage? Thy father
astonishes himself to hear of such sudden events. Thou wilt go to see
him, soon, is it not?"
"Yes, dear Gustave. I will go to-morrow."
She went on the next day, and found Captain Paget much weaker than on her
last visit.
It was evident that for him the end was very near. He was much changed
and subdued by his long illness; but the spirit of worldliness had not
been altogether exorcised even in this dismal period of self-communion.
"What does it all mean, Diana?" he asked. "I don't understand being kept
in the dark like this. Here are you suddenly leaving Mr. Sheldon's house
without rhyme or reason, to take up your quarters in lodgings with Mrs.
Sheldon. Here is a mysterious marriage taking place at a time when I have
been given to understand that one of the parties is at death's door; and
here is Lenoble introduced to Valentine Hawkehurst, in express opposition
to my particular request that my future son-in-law should be introduced
to none of the Sheldon set."
"Valentine is not one of the Sheldon set, papa. I do not think it likely
that he will ever see Philip Sheldon again."
"Bless my soul!" exclaimed Captain Paget. "There has been something
serious going on, then, surely?"
After this he insisted on an explanation, and Diana told him the story of
the last two or three weeks: Charlotte's increasing illness--so
mysterious and incurable; the sudden return from Harold's Hill;
Valentine's fears; Dr.
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