The secretary sadly shook his head.

"Mr. Gryce," I here whispered, clutching that person by the arm and
dragging him down to my side; "assure me, I entreat you--" but he
would not let me finish.

"The coroner is about to ask for the young ladies," he quickly
interposed. "If you desire to fulfil your duty towards them, be ready,
that's all."

Fulfil my duty! The simple words recalled me to myself. What had I
been thinking of; was I mad? With nothing more terrible in mind than a
tender picture of the lovely cousins bowed in anguish over the remains
of one who had been as dear as a father to them, I slowly rose, and
upon demand being made for Miss Mary and Miss Eleanore Leavenworth,
advanced and said that, as a friend of the family--a petty lie, which
I hope will not be laid up against me--I begged the privilege of going
for the ladies and escorting them down.

Instantly a dozen eyes flashed upon me, and I experienced the
embarrassment of one who, by some unexpected word or action, has drawn
upon himself the concentrated attention of a whole room.

But the permission sought being almost immediately accorded, I was
speedily enabled to withdraw from my rather trying position, finding
myself, almost before I knew it, in the hall, my face aflame, my heart
beating with excitement, and these words of Mr. Gryce ringing in my
ears: "Third floor, rear room, first door at the head of the stairs.
You will find the young ladies expecting you."