d I thought it as
well to send for Doctor Bird."

"But why is Mr. Hurst here?" Eddie asked.

"I don't know, dearie. I think he just called by accident, or about some
ordinary business."

"Has papa asked for us--for me?"

"No, Master Edward. Now, don't look so scared; there's nothing the
matter, only, as I said, he got a turn. I think it was something in the
paper, for when I went in with his beef-tea, he had it in his hand, and
looked quite sad and white. I hoped he was not feeling bad, and he said
'No, no, Mittens. Put that down and leave me'; then when I was at the
door, he called out, 'Mittens, set the house in order. I'm going on a
journey; see to it without delay!' That's every word, Master Edward; but
knowing as the master has not been anywhere for so long, and seeing him
look pale and troubled like, I just took the liberty of sending a line
to Doctor Bird, asking him to look in quite in a friendly way. He came
at once, and he's with the master now. I left the room as you came in,
and the doctor said, 'Your master is no worse--rather better, I think.'
So _now_, my dears, will you sit down to dinner?"

Bertie's answer was practical compliance; Eddie stood for a few minutes
at the window, wondering if it were the death of another estranged
relative that had affected his father; then he, too, took his place, and
ate his dinner in silence. Presently the doctor's carriage drove away,
and both boys felt less anxious; but to Agnes there was something
terrible in the unusual hush of the house: it seemed as if the servants
moved about more noiselessly than at other times, and spoke in hushed
whispers. Eddie went to the library, and Bertie went out immediately
after dinner, and, left to herself, Agnes curled herself up in an easy
chair in the dining-room with a book, and after reading for an hour, she
fell asleep. It was dusk when she was roused by the sudden ringing of
bells and the hurrying of feet across the passage leading to Mr. Rivers'
apartments. For a few minutes she sat quite still, pale, frightened,
scarcely daring to breathe; then she opened the door and peeped out
timidly, but no one took the least notice of her. Mrs. Mittens crossed
the hall hurriedly, looking very pale and anxious; there were strange
voices too, somewhere. One, Agnes thought, seemed loud and angry. Then
she hurried back to the dining-room and shut the door, pressing both her
hands on her heart to stop its beating. Something dreadful was