To the patient he made light of these symptoms, urged upon Mr. Sivewright the necessity of taking things quietly, and above all of not allowing himself to be worried by any groundless apprehensions. ‘If you have a notion that there is anything going wrong in this house, let me sleep here for a few nights,’ said Lucius. ‘There are empty rooms enough to provide lodgings for a small regiment. Let me take up my quarters in one of them—the room next this one, for instance. I am a light sleeper; and if there should be foul play of any kind, my ear would be quick to discover the intruder.’ ‘No,’ said the old man. ‘It is kind of you to propose such a thing, but there’s no necessity. It was a nervous fancy of mine, I daresay; the effect of physical weakness. Say no more about it.’ Lucius went home earlier than usual that evening, much to the amazement of Mrs. Wincher, who begged him to give them a ‘toon’ before departing. This request, however, was not supported by Lucille. She seemed anxious and restless, and Lucius blamed his own folly as the cause of her anxiety. ‘My dearest,’ he said tenderly, retaining the icy-cold hand which she gave him at parting, ‘I fear those foolish suspicions of mine about the rooms up-stairs have alarmed you. I was an idiot to suggest any such idea. But if you have the faintest apprehension of danger, let me stay here to-night and keep guard. I will stay in this room, and make my round of the house at intervals all through the night. Let me stay, Lucille. Who has so good a right to protect you?’ ‘O no, no,’ she cried quickly, ‘on no account. There is not the slightest occasion for such a thing. Why should you suppose that I am frightened, Lucius?’ ‘Your own manner makes me think so, darling. This poor little hand is unnaturally cold, and you have not been yourself all this evening.’ ‘I am a little anxious about my grandfather.’ ‘All the more reason that I should remain here to-night. I can stay in his room if you like, so as to be on the spot should he by any chance grow suddenly worse, though I have no fear of that.’ ‘If you do not fear that, there is nothing to fear. As to your stopping here, that is out of the question. I know my grandfather wouldn’t like it.’ Lucius could hardly dispute this, as Mr. Sivewright had actually refused his offer to remain. There was nothing for him to do but to take a lingering farewell of his betrothed, and depart, sorely troubled in spirit.