She withdrew a little from him, and drew herself up to all the height she possessed, which was not very much. There went to her heart a quick dart like the stab of a knife. She thought he was about to tell her that his own mind had changed, or that her coming wealth and importance had made it incompatible with his pride to continue their engagement. Something of this kind it seemed certain that it must be. In the sudden conviction of the moment it did not occur to Winifred that such a new thing could scarcely be told while he held her so closely to him, and clasped her hand and arm so firmly. But it was not a moment for the exercise of reason. She did not look up, but she raised her head instinctively and made an effort to loosen her hand from his clasp. But of these half-involuntary movements he took no note, being fully occupied with what was in his mind. “Winnie,” he said in a serious voice, “your father talks at his ease of making wills and changing the disposition of his property. I don’t suppose he thinks for a moment how near he may be--how soon these changes may come into effect.” A little start, a little tremor ran through her frame. Her attitude of preparation for a blow relaxed. She did not understand what he meant in the relief of perceiving that it was not what she thought. “My father? I don’t understand you, Edward.” “No, I scarcely expected you would. He looks what people call the picture of health.” She started now violently and drew her arm out of his in the shock of the first suggestion. “My father!” she stammered--“the picture of health--you do not mean, you cannot mean”-- “I have been cruel,” he said, drawing tenderly her arm into his. “I have given you a great shock. My darling, it had to be done sooner or later. Your father, though he looks so well, is not well, Winnie. I never was satisfied that he got over that illness as he thought he did. But even I was not alarmed for a long time. Now for several months I have been watching him closely. If he does not make this new will at once, he may never do it. If he does, it will not be long before you are called on to assume your place.” “Edward! you do not mean that my father--You don’t mean that there is absolute danger--to his life--soon--now? Edward! you do not think”-- “Dear, you must show no alarm. You must learn to be quite calm. You must not betray your knowledge. It may be at any moment--to-day, to-morrow, no one can tell. It is not certain--nothing is certain--he may go on for a year.”