He noted that the wall of the house rose higher than
those of the ruin with which it was in contact; and that there
was a window in it just over one of those walls. Thinking whether
it had been there when the roof was on, he saw through it the
flickering of a fire, and wondered whether it could be the window
of Mr. Redmain's room.
Mary, having resolved not to give any notice of her arrival, if
she could get in without it, and finding the hall-door on the
latch, entered quietly, and walked straight to Mr. Redmain's
bedroom. When she opened the door of it, Mewks came hurriedly to
meet her, as if he would have made her go out again, but she
scarcely looked at him, and advanced to the bed. Mr. Redmain was
just waking from the sleep into which he had fallen after a
severe paroxysm.
"Ah, there you are!" he said, smiling her a feeble welcome. "I am
glad you are come. I have been looking out for you. I am very
ill. If it comes again to-night, I think it will make an end of
me."
She sat down by the bedside. He lay quite still for some time,
breathing like one very weary. Then he seemed to grow easier, and
said, with much gentleness:
"Can't you talk to me?"
"Would you like me to read to you?" she asked.
"No," he answered; "I can't bear the light; it makes my head
furious."
"Shall I talk to you about my father?" she asked.
"I don't believe in fathers," he replied.
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