Mattie held the excited girl in her own strong arms, and backed her to a greater distance from the door of the room where Sidney was; at the same moment the banker returned from his fugitive interview with his nephew, and stood at the window taking snuff by wholesale. A confusion seemed to suddenly pervade the scene; an assistant, then another entered, and passed into Sidney's room; a third assistant ushered across the room wherein they waited, a physician, with whom Mr. Geoffry Hinchford shook hands, and took snuff for an instant. Maurice looked through the curtain for an instant, held up his hand, and then withdrew again. The instant afterwards the door was locked on the inner side, and a silence as of death settled upon the three watchers without. All was still; the thick walls and the closed doors deadened every sound. Once and only once Dr. Bario's voice giving some orders startled the banker and the two girls cowering at the extremity of the room. "How still!" whispered Harriet at last, and Mattie bade her be silent. Mattie was listening with strained ears for sounds from within, and the fear that had beset Harriet settled at last upon herself and unnerved her. How long would it be now, each thought and wondered--minutes, hours, or what? "This waiting is very awful," said Mr. Geoffry Hinchford, suddenly, and Mattie bade him hush also, in an angry tone that made him jump again. Suddenly the door was unlocked, and the three started up with clenched hands and suspended breath. Two of the assistants came forth hurriedly, and went out of the room. To the eager questions that were put to them they answered something in Italian, and balked the longing of their questioners. Then Maurice appeared, and cried, "Success!--success! A statue in gold for Dr. Bario! The----" "Hinchford," called the doctor from within, "come back--he calls you." "No, not me," said Maurice, whose ears caught the English accent more perfectly, "_he calls Harriet_--may she come?" "Yes, for an instant--quick!" Harriet darted across the room with a suppressed cry; the old fear had seized her again. "He is dying!--I knew it!" "No, no, he will live for you!" cried Mattie, wringing her hands together; "go to him!" Harriet passed into the room, and recoiled for an instant at the utter darkness and blackness of the place she had left so light. Maurice put his hands upon her wrist, and drew her forwards. Dr. Bario's voice arrested him. "He has fainted--take her out again. He must speak to no one any more to-day." "But he will die!--oh! sir, will he not die?" cried Harriet. "He will live; he will be as well in three weeks as ever--please withdraw." Harriet and Maurice Hinchford came back together. "There is no use in waiting," Maurice said; "the result is as successful as I anticipated. Let me recommend you to return home at once, Miss Wesden. Miss Gray will accompany you, I am sure." "Mattie, will you come with me?" asked Harriet, faintly.