But it was something to have brought his mind to bear with a fixed purpose upon these things, and to have resolved upon what he would do, though he still lacked strength to put his resolution immediately to the proof. Then, later in the evening, his son came and sat with him, and he was able in some sort to declare that the worst of that evil day had passed from him. "I shall breakfast with you all to-morrow," he said, and as he spoke a faint smile passed across his face. "Oh! I hope you will," said Herbert; "we shall be so delighted: but, father, do not exert yourself too soon." "It will do me good, I think." "I am sure it will, if the fatigue be not too much." "The truth is, Herbert, I have allowed this feeling to grow upon me till I have become weak under it. I know that I ought to make an exertion to throw it off, and it is possible that I may succeed." Herbert muttered some few hopeful words, but he found it very difficult to know what he ought to say. That his father had some secret he was quite sure; and it is hard to talk to a man about his secret, without knowing what that secret is. "I have allowed myself to fall into a weak state," continued Sir Thomas, speaking slowly, "while by proper exertion I might have avoided it." "You have been very ill, father," said Herbert. "Yes, I have been ill, very ill, certainly. But I do not know that any doctor could have helped me." "Father--" "No, Herbert; do not ask me questions; do not inquire; at any rate, not at present. I will endeavour--now at least I will endeavour--to do my duty. But do not urge me by questions, or appear to notice me if I am infirm." "But, father,--if we could comfort you?" "Ah! if you could. But, never mind, I will endeavour to shake off this depression. And, Herbert, comfort your mother; do not let her think much of all this, if it can be helped." "But how can it be helped?" "And tell her this: there is a matter that troubles my mind." "Is it about the property, father?" "No--yes; it certainly is about the property in one sense." "Then do not heed it; we shall none of us heed it. Who has so good a right to say so as I?" "Bless you, my darling boy! But, Herbert, such things must be heeded--more or less, you know: but you may tell your mother this, and perhaps it may comfort her. I have made up my mind to go to London and to see Prendergast; I will explain the whole of this thing to him, and as he bids me so will I act." This was thought to be satisfactory to a certain extent both by the mother and son. They would have been better pleased had he opened his heart to them and told them everything; but that it was clear he could not bring himself to do. This Mr. Prendergast they had heard was a good man; and in his present state it was better that he should seek counsel of any man than allow his sorrow to feed upon himself alone. CHAPTER X. THE RECTOR OF DRUMBARROW AND HIS WIFE.