After a
struggle with himself he closed the book. "D--n the chair!" he said: "it
_will_ talk of him; and I must listen." He reached down his pipe from
the wall and mechanically filled it with tobacco. His hand shook, his
eyes wandered back to the old place; and a heavy sigh came from him
unwillingly. That empty chair was the only earthly argument for which
he had no answer: his heart owned its defeat and moistened his eyes in
spite of him. "He has got the better of me at last," said the rugged old
man. "There is one weak place left in me still--and _he_ has found it."
Meanwhile, Mr. Pendril entered the shrubbery, and followed the path
which led to the lonely garden and the desolate house. He was met at the
door by the man-servant, who was apparently waiting in expectation of
his arrival.
"I have an appointment with Miss Garth. Is she ready to see me?"
"Quite ready, sir."
"Is she alone?"
"Yes, sir."
"In the room which was Mr. Vanstone's study?"
"In that room, sir."
The servant opened the door and Mr. Pendril went in.
The governess stood alone at the study window. The morning was
oppressively hot, and she threw up the lower sash to admit more air into
the room, as Mr.
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