Cadurcis immediately, but slowly, repaired to the saloon.  Lady Annabel was walking up and down in it.  She seemed greatly disturbed.  When she saw him, she put her arm round his neck affectionately, and said in a low voice, ’My dearest Plantagenet, it has devolved upon me to communicate to you some distressing intelligence.’  Her voice faltered, and the tears stole down her cheek.

‘My mother, then, is dangerously ill?’ he inquired in a calm but softened tone.

‘It is even sadder news than that, dear child.’

Cadurcis looked about him wildly, and then with an inquiring glance at Lady Annabel: 

‘There can be but one thing worse than that,’ he at length said.

‘What if it have happened?’ said Lady Annabel.

He threw himself into a chair, and covered his face with his hands.  After a few minutes he looked up and said, in a low but distinct voice, ’It is too terrible to think of; it is too terrible to mention; but, if it have happened, let me be alone.’

Lady Annabel approached him with a light step; she embraced him, and, whispering that she should be found in the next room, she quitted the apartment.

Cadurcis remained seated for more than half an hour without changing in the slightest degree his position.  The twilight died away; it grew quite dark; he looked up with a slight shiver, and then quitted the apartment.

In the adjoining room, Lady Annabel was seated with Doctor Masham, and giving him the details of the fatal event.  It had occurred that morning.  Mrs. Cadurcis, who had never slept a wink since her knowledge of her son’s undoubted departure, and scarcely for an hour been free from violent epileptic fits, had fallen early in the morning into a doze, which lasted about half an hour, and from which her medical attendant, who with Pauncefort had sat up with her during the night, augured the most favourable consequences.  About half-past six o’clock she woke, and inquired whether Plantagenet had returned.  They answered her that Doctor Masham had not yet arrived, but would probably be at the abbey in the course of the morning.  She said it would be too late.  They endeavoured to encourage her, but she asked to see Lady Annabel, who was immediately called, and lost no time in repairing to her.  When Mrs. Cadurcis recognised her, she held out her hand, and said in a dying tone, ’It was my fault; it was ever my fault; it is too late now; let him find a mother in you.’  She never spoke again, and in the course of an hour expired.

While Lady Annabel and the Doctor were dwelling on these sad circumstances, and debating whether he should venture to approach Plantagenet, and attempt to console him, for the evening was now far advanced, and nearly three hours had elapsed since the fatal communication had been made to him, it happened that Mistress Pauncefort chanced to pass Mrs. Cadurcis’ room, and as she did so she heard some one violently sobbing.