The blank created by this unwonted darkness
chilled him somehow, and there was a vague sense of dread in his mind as
he opened the door. There was no need to knock. The simple household was
untroubled by the fear of burglariously-disposed intruders, and the door
was rarely fastened until after dark.
Gilbert went into the parlour; all was dark and silent in the two rooms,
which communicated with folding doors, and made one fair-sized apartment.
There were no preparations for dinner; he could see that in the deepening
dusk. The fire had been evidently neglected, and was at an expiring
point.
"John!" he called, stirring the fire with a vigorous hand, whereby he
gave it the _coup-de-grace_, and the last glimmer sank to darkness.
"John, what are you doing?"
He fancied the convalescent had fallen asleep upon the sofa in the inner
room; but when he went in search of him, he found nothing but emptiness.
He rang the bell violently, and the brisk maid-servant came flying in.
"Oh, dear, sir, you did give me and missus such a turn!" she said,
gasping, with her hand on her heart, as if that organ had been seriously
affected. "We never heard you come in, and when the bell rung----"
"Is Mr. Saltram worse?" Gilbert asked, eagerly.
"Worse, poor dear gentleman; no, sir, I should hope not, though he well
may be, for there never was any one so imprudent, not of all the invalids
I've ever had to do with--and Hampton is a rare place for invalids.
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