"I have made Charles go home, for he is not fit for this sad business," said Mr Robert in an altered voice. "Poor things, poor things! It is one comfort to know he does not suffer. Fletcher says he will not recover consciousness. Good Heavens, I can't believe it now! His last words,--ah! to be sure, Anthony, he was going off after you when it happened." And he told him what the Squire had said. It touched Anthony inexpressibly, but it seemed also to bring back an avenging army of forgotten things, so that Mr Robert could not understand what made his face grow dark, and let his voice drop coldly as if it were a shame to waste a sacred thing on one so unforgiving, not knowing to what his words had suddenly recalled him. The past had been sweet through all its sorrow, and now it was over, and he must gather up his burden. "The Bennetts are at Griffith's, and were inquiring for you. Good-night," said Mr Mannering shortly. Anthony went mechanically towards the bookseller's, knowing exactly all that would be said to him, the exclamations and questions which Ada was likely to pour out seeming unutterably wearisome at this moment when Winifred's face would persistently rise before him, so brave, so patient, so womanly in its sorrow, that Ada could not stand the contrast. And yet he was to marry Ada, to become one with her, to swear to love her. He turned white when the thought struck him suddenly, as if it were a new knowledge. She was standing at the bookseller's door, waiting impatiently, and smiling a pretty show of welcome, as usual. "I am so glad you are come, Anthony; it was such a pity you did not go to the concert. And poor old Mr Chester,--do tell us all about it I don't think I shall ever fancy Springfield's shop again." "I don't wonder you are shocked," Anthony said, rousing himself and conscious that he owed her amends for the very agony of the last few minutes. "It seems hardly possible as yet to realise it." "No, it is dreadful," said Ada, her looks wandering away. "Does Miss Chester feel it much? She looks as if it would take a good deal to move her. There are the Watsons,--you didn't bow." Mrs Bennett's face at the other end of the shop looked like a refuge to which he might escape. To escape,--and he was to marry her! He had not yet heard the end of the petty inquiries which fluttered down upon him, but at length he saw Mrs Bennett and Ada driving away, and Ada pointing towards Springfield's and explaining. Anthony went quickly into a back room, wrote two or three letters to the Squire's nearest relations, rode as fast as he could to Thorpe, gave Miss Chesters directions to the Hardlands servants, and then, after a moment's thought, turned his horse's head back to Aunecester.