Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/179

Rh mournful in this haunted chamber. Jane could not bear it; she hid her face and wept.

When the doctor came again, at six o’clock, he whispered to Joseph that the end was nearer than he had anticipated. Near, indeed; less than ten minutes after the warning had been given Michael ceased to breathe.

Jane knelt by the bed, convulsed with grief, unable to hear the words her father addressed to her. He sat for five minutes, then again spoke. She rose and replied.

“Will you come with us, Jane, or would you rather stay with Mrs. Byass?”

“I will stay, please, father.”

He hesitated, but the thought that rose was even for him too io:noble to be entertained.

“As you please, my dear. Of course no one must enter your rooms but Mrs. Byass. I must go now, but I shall look in again to-night.”

“Yes, father.”

She spoke mechanically. He had to lead her from the room, and, on quitting the house, left her all but unconscious in Bessie’s arms.