Even as he thought these thoughts, he might have seen—­had he looked that way—­half a dozen men on foot and horseback, bustling out with lanterns through the great gates.  Their voices reached him mellowed by distance; but immersed in thinking where he should find Julia, and what he should say to her, he crossed the roadway without heeding a commotion which in such a place was not unusual.  On the contrary, the long lighted front of the house, the hum of life that rose from it, the sharp voices of a knot of men who stood a little on one side, arguing eagerly and all at once, went far to dissipate such of his fears as the pace of his horse had left.  Beyond doubt Julia, finding herself in solitude, had grown alarmed and had returned, fancying him late; perhaps pouting because he had not forestalled the time!

But the moment he passed through the doorway his ear caught that buzz of excited voices, raised in all parts and in every key, that betokens disaster.  And with a sudden chill at his heart, as of a cold hand gripping it, he stood, and looked down the hall.  It was well perhaps that he had that moment of preparation, those few seconds in which to steady himself, before the full sense of what had happened struck him.

The lighted hall was thronged and in an uproar.  A busy place, of much coming and going it ever was.  Now the floor was crowded in every part with two or three score persons, all speaking, gesticulating, advising at once.  Here a dozen men were proving something; there another group were controverting it; while twice as many listened, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, or in their turn dashed into the babel.  That something very serious had happened Sir George could not doubt.  Once he caught the name of Lord Chatham, and the statement that he was worse, and he fancied that that was it.  But the next moment the speaker added loudly, ’Oh, he cannot be told!  He is not to be told!  The doctor has gone to him!  I tell you, he is worse to-day!’ And this, giving the lie to that idea, revived his fears.  His eyes passing quickly over the crowd, looked everywhere for Julia; he found her nowhere.  He touched the nearest man on the arm, and asked him what had happened.

The person he addressed was about to reply when an agitated figure, wig awry, cravat loosened, eyes staring, forced itself through the crowd, and, flinging itself on Sir George, clutched him by the open breast of his green riding-coat.  It was Mr. Fishwick, but Mr. Fishwick transfigured by a great fright, his face grey, his cheeks trembling.  For a moment such was his excitement he could not speak.  Then ’Where is she?’ he stuttered, almost shaking Sir George on his feet.  ’What have you done with her, you—­you villain?’ Soane, with misgivings gnawing at his heart, was in no patient mood.  In a blaze of passion he flung the attorney from him.  ‘You madman!’ he said; ‘what idiocy is this?’