She tried to prevent him speaking before your mother, but that was all.' On the impulse of the moment I took a step towards the door; recollecting my position, I turned back with a groan.

Almost beside myself, and longing for any vent for my feelings, I caught the lad by the shoulder, where he stood on the hearth, and shook him to and fro.
'Tell me, man, what am I to do ?' I said between my teeth.

'Speak! think! invent something!' But he shook his head.
I let him go with a muttered oath, and sat down on a stool by the bed and took my head between my hands.

At that very moment, however, relief came--came from an unexpected quarter.

The door opened and the leech entered.