"There is
a time for everything," and he thought of his age. Passionate love
should melt into friendship, and her friendship he might have had if
he had thought only of himself; it would have been a worthy crown
for the love he had borne for her during so many years. Now there
was nothing left for him but a nasty sour rind of life to chew to the
end--it was under his teeth, and it was sour enough, and it never
would grow less sour. His sadness grew so deep that he forgot
himself in it, and was awakened by the sound of wheels.
"Somebody coming to call. I won't see anybody," and he rang the bell.
"I am not at home to anybody."
"But, Sir Owen, Mr. Dean--"
"Mr. Dean!" And Owen stood aghast, wondering what could have brought
Ulick back again.
"Are you at home to Mr. Dean, sir?"
"Yes, yes," and at the same moment he caught sight of Ulick coming
across the hall. "What has happened?" he said as soon as the door
was closed.
"She tried to poison herself last night."
"Tried to poison herself! But she is not dead?"
"No, she's not dead, and will recover."
"Tried to poison herself!"
"Yes, that is what I came back to tell you. We were to have met at
the station, but she didn't turn up; and, after waiting for a
quarter of an hour, I felt something must have happened, and drove
to Ayrdale Mansions.
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