His Lordship's physician had quitted the chamber for a few minutes, to make arrangements for continuing with him during the night; and neither Miss Macspleuchan nor Lady Cecilia had spoken for some time. At length the earl, who had become rather restless, faintly muttered at intervals to himself the words-- "Bubble--villain--Blackwall"---- "You see," whispered Miss Macspleuchan, "what he's thinking of. He dined with those people, you know." Lady Cecilia nodded in silence. Presently his Lordship resumed-- "_Account closed!_--Call on Mr. Gammon--Is Mr. Gammon at home?"---- The current of his recollections had now brought him to the point of danger; and after pausing for a moment, a troubled expression came over his face--he was evidently realizing the commencement of the terrible scene in Mr. Gammon's room--then he seemed to have lost the train of his thoughts for a while, as his features slowly resumed their previous placidity; but the troubled aspect presently returned: his lips were suddenly compressed, and his brow corrugated, as if with the emotion of anger or indignation. "Monstrous! _Two thousand pounds?_" He spoke these words in a much stronger voice than those preceding. "Oh, dear!--I should have thought his Lordship had lost much more than _that_," whispered Miss Macspleuchan, in a low tone. "Insist!--Titmouse--Titmouse"--his lips slightly quivered, and he paused for a while. "Shocking! What _will_ she"----an expression of agony came over his face. "Poor papa! He's evidently heard it all!" whispered Lady Cecilia, faintly. "Hush!" exclaimed Miss Macspleuchan, raising her finger to her lips--adding presently, "if he goes on in this way, I shall go and bring in Dr. Whittington." "Cecilia!--Cecilia!"--continued the earl; and suddenly opening his eyes, gazed forward, and then on each side, with a dull confused stare. Then he closed them, muttering--"I certainly thought Mr. Gammon was here!" Shortly afterwards he opened them again; and his head being inclined towards the side where Lady Cecilia was sitting, they fell upon, and seemed to be arrested by her countenance. After gazing at her for some moments very, very sorrowfully, he again closed his eyes, murmuring--"Poor Cecilia!" "I really think, my dear, you 'd better leave the room," faltered Miss Macspleuchan; imagining, from the state of her own feelings, that those of Lady Cecilia would be overpowering her--for nothing could be more soul-touching than the tone in which the earl had last spoken. "No; he's asleep again," replied Lady Cecilia, calmly,--and for a quarter of an hour all was again silent. Then the earl sighed; and opening his eyes, looked full at Lady Cecilia, and with a more natural expression. "Kiss me, Cecilia," said he, gently; and raising both his arms a little, while she leaned forward and kissed his forehead, he very feebly placed them round her, but they almost immediately sank on the bed again, as if he had not strength to keep them extended.