"I had a letter from him yesterday, telling me how much worse he is, and that his malady is now confirmed beyond doubt—consumption. I had another letter; it was from young Von Sark, who happened to write to me. He spoke of Weber in it; of the sad state of privation he is in, of the inroads the disease is making, and of his almost utter want of friends. He has been ill so long that people have grown tired of assisting him. A five-pound note will lighten his way to death." Mrs. Paradyne made no dissentient answer; but she was evidently not pleased. Taking out her purse with almost an unlady-like jerk, she shut the five bank-notes into it with a sharp click. "I cannot help it," said Mr. Henry in a low tone. "He is in great need, and friendless. It seems to be a duty placed before me." "Has he been improvident, that he should have saved no means?" asked Mrs. Paradyne. "No; his salary was small, and he had his mother to keep," was Mr. Henry's reply, looking away from Mrs. Paradyne for a moment. "She died two months ago; the last of his relatives." "Well, your giving away a bank-note more or less is of little consequence," resumed Mrs. Paradyne, in a displayed sort of resignation, but which bore a sound of irony to initiated ears. "You will not earn many more bank-notes, if you persist in your insane resolution of speaking to Dr. Brabazon." "I have told you why I must do that," he gently said; "do not let us go over the matter again. As soon as he returns from Malvern, I shall declare all. I have no resource but to do it, and no argument can now change my resolution." "Or bring you to your senses," retorted Mrs. Paradyne. "I have something to tell you that will please you very much," he resumed, quitting the other subject. Mrs. Paradyne lifted her delicate hands in dissenting deprecation, as if nothing could ever please her again. "It is a story of George's bravery. He has been saving the life of young Loftus." CHAPTER XVIII. Told at Last. In passing the College gates on his way homewards, after quitting Mrs. Paradyne, Mr. Henry, very much to his surprise, saw Dr. Brabazon going in. No further explanation had taken place between them; for the doctor had been staying at Malvern with his daughters. He held out his hand to the young German master. "You are looking as much astonished as if you thought I was my own ghost," cried he, jestingly. "Well, sir, I should almost as soon have expected to see it. I thought you were at Malvern." "A little matter of business brought me up. I go back to-morrow." "To-morrow!" echoed Mr. Henry. "Can you let me speak to you before you go back?" he continued on sudden impulse. "Certainly. Come in with me now if you like."