He left the breakfast-parlour to peruse it alone, and it was long before he returned to his family.

They felt anxious, they knew not why; even Arthur and Emmeline were silent, and the ever-restless Percy remained leaning over a newspaper, as if determined not to move till his brother returned.

A similar feeling appeared to detain his father, who did not seek the library as usual.
Ellen appeared earnestly engaged in some communications from Lady Florence Lyle, and Mrs.Hamilton was perusing a letter from Caroline, which the same post had brought.
With a sudden spring Percy started from his seat, exclaiming, in a tone that betrayed unconsciously much internal anxiety-- "What in the world is Herbert about?
He cannot have gone out without bringing us some intelligence.

Robert, has Mr.Herbert gone out ?" he called loudly to the servant, who was passing the open window.
"No, sir," was the reply; "he is still in his room." "Then there will I seek him," he added, impetuously; but he was prevented by the entrance of Herbert himself, and Percy started from him in astonishment and alarm.
There was not a particle of colour on his cheek or lips; his eyes burned as with fever, and his lips quivered as in some unutterable anguish.
"Read," he said, in a voice so hoarse and unnatural, it startled even more than his appearance, and he placed the letter in his father's hand.
"Father, read, and tell them all--I cannot.

It is over!" he continued, sinking on a stool at his mother's feet, and laying his aching head on her lap.