Twenty-four hours had put away on her side all the divisions that had existed, and taken her back to the old familiar friendship, so that if she remembered any cause of estrangement, it was that she might touch it softly, and let Anthony feel that it had only been a shadow, not affecting the true kindness of her father. With an instinctive loyalty she would have liked to clothe the dead in a hundred virtues. But Anthony himself was feeling the separation with a strength that almost maddened him. There was a gulf between them which was of his own digging. There they were, he and she, and yet he could not put out a hand, could not take her to his heart and comfort her. As she spoke he shook his head with a quick gesture, throwing it back, and turned away from her towards the window, against which the rain was now pattering gently. Winifred was surprised, and a little hurt, but as it struck her that he might dread what she was going to say, she went on with a voice that faltered for the first time,-- "Dr Fletcher told me that you would settle for me what ought to be done, but--perhaps--I believe that I can give directions--if it is painful to you--" "That is impossible," Anthony said, almost sharply, and without looking round. "I will do it all,--why else am I here?" She drew back almost imperceptibly, but then, as if moved by an opposite feeling, went up to him, and touched his arm. "Anthony," she said in a low voice. If it was to oblige him to look at her she succeeded, for he immediately glanced round, although he did not answer, and indeed she went on hurriedly,-- "I dare say you think I do not know, but Dr Fletcher explained to me that there must be an inquest. It is not so painful as you fancy,-- nothing seems painful just now,--do not be afraid to tell us what is necessary. Dr Fletcher says it had better be here, he will make them come as soon as possible, and he wishes us to go back to Hardlands at once. I would rather have stayed, but I can see that it would be bad for Bessie, and--he would have liked her to be spared. Richardson is in the house, if you would tell him to go back, and bring the carriage at once--and,"--she hesitated wistfully, for it did not seem quite so easy to her to ask anything of Anthony as it had been at the beginning of their interview--"would it be possible for you to stay,--so as to be at hand,--to stay until to-morrow, or till my cousin comes? Some one must be here," she said, with a little passionate cry of sorrow, as her self-control broke down; "he shall not be left alone." She stopped again, this time for an answer, but when none came she said with an effort, "Perhaps you cannot stay,--perhaps Mr Mannering would come?" "Of course I shall stay," Anthony said, in a bitter, half-choked voice.