"O, sir, you may well be sorry," said the Yorkshirewoman, with deep feeling. "She was the sweetest, most forgiving creature that ever came into this world; and to the last no hard or cruel word ever passed her innocent lips. Yes, sir, she is gone; she is beyond the power of any one to harm her." "All that sort of stuff is so much hypocritical twaddle, Mrs. Woolper," muttered Mr. Sheldon impatiently; "and I recommend you to keep it for the chaplain of the workhouse in which you are likely to end your days. At what time--did--did this--sad event--happen? "About an hour ago." In the very hour when, in his hideous dream, he had beheld the solemn funeral train winding on for ever through the dim realms of sleep. Was there some meaning in such foolish shadows, after all? "And why was I not sent for?" "You were asleep, sir. I came downstairs myself, and looked into your room. You were fast asleep, and I wouldn't disturb you." "That was very wrong; but it was of a piece with the rest of your conduct, which has been from first to last antagonistic to me. I suppose I can see my stepdaughter now," Mr. Sheldon added, with a grim smile. "There is no further excuse--about headache--or sleep." "No, sir, you cannot see her yet. In an hour, if you wish to come into this room, you can come." "You are extremely obliging. I begin to doubt whether I am really in my own house. In an hour, then, I will come. Where is my wife?" "In her own room, sir, lying down; asleep, I believe." "I will not disturb her. How about the registration, by-the-by? That must be seen to." "Dr. Jedd has promised to attend to that, sir." "Has Dr. Jedd been here?" "He was here an hour ago." "Very good. And he will see to that," muttered Mr. Sheldon thoughtfully. The event for which he had been so long waiting seemed at the last a little sudden. It had shaken his nerves more than he had supposed it possible that they could be shaken. He went to his dressing-room, and on this occasion made a very hasty toilet. The event had been tardy, and he had no time to lose in discounting it now that it had come to pass. He went from his dressing-room back to his study, took the jacket containing the policies of assurance and the will from the deed-box, and left the house. CHAPTER VI. CONFUSION WORSE CONFOUNDED. A cab conveyed Mr. Sheldon swiftly to a dingy street in the City--a street which might have been called the pavement of wasted footsteps, so many an impecunious wretch tramped to and fro upon those dreary flags in vain. The person whom Mr. Sheldon came to see was a distinguished bill-discounter, who had served him well in more than one crisis, and on whose service he fancied he could now rely. Mr. Kaye, the bill-discounter, was delighted to see his worthy friend Mr. Sheldon. He had just come up from his family at Brighton, and had quite a little court awaiting him in an outer chamber, through which Mr. Sheldon had been ushered to the inner office.