The old man's eyes closed, he straggled for breath, and when he had gained it, he looked from one to the other with a smile, a senile smile, which added to Ida's grief and terror.
"It's all right!" he whispered, huskily, pantingly.

"It's all right; they don't know.

They don't guess!" Then his manner changed to one of intense alarm and dismay.

"Lost! Lost!" he gasped.

"I'm ruined, rained! Herondale has gone, gone--all is gone! My poor child--Ida!" "Father!" broke from Ida's white lips.