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He awaited the fiat with feverish heat; and wished the fast express engine would travel faster. The terminus gained at last, a hansom took him to Dr. Cannonby's. It was half-past two o'clock. He leaped out of the cab and rang, entering the hall when the door was opened. "Can I see Dr. Cannonby?" "The doctor's just gone out, sir. He will be home at five."
Lionel approached her, and gently laid his hand upon her shoulder. "Sibylla, what caused you to show agitation when Cannonby's name was mentioned?" "I told you," answered Sibylla. "It is dreadful to be reminded of that miserable time. It was Cannonby, you know, who buried my husband." And before Lionel could say more, she had shaken his hand from her shoulder, and was back amidst her guests.
So long as the nearly certain conviction on Lionel's mind was not confirmed by positive testimony as he expected Captain Cannonby's would be he could not entirely lose sight of all hope. That he most fervently prayed the blow might not fall, might even now be averted, you will readily believe.
"I particularly wish to see him," observed Lionel. "Can you give me any address where he may be found in London? if he has returned?" "Yes. His brother's in Westminster. I can give you the exact number and address by referring to my notebook. When Cannonby's in London, he makes it his headquarters. If he is away, his brother may know where he is." "His brother may be out of town also.
How long have you been cognisant of these unhappy facts?" "I declare, Mr. Verner, I don't know what you mean," was Captain Cannonby's answer, given in a hearty tone. "To what do you allude?" Lionel paused. Was it possible that he Captain Cannonby was in ignorance? "Tell me one thing," he said.
It was striking five when he again knocked at Dr. Cannonby's. He wished to see Captain Cannonby still; it would be the crowning confirmation. But he had no doubt whatever that that gentleman's report would be: "I saw Frederick Massingbird die as I believed and I quitted him immediately. I conclude that I must have been in error in supposing he was dead." Dr.
Cannonby been at home he would not have gone near it; had he turned to the right hand instead of to the left, on leaving Dr. Cannonby's house, the boat would never have seen him. It was not crowded, as those steamers sometimes are crowded, suggesting visions of the bottom of the river. The day was fine; warm for September, but not too hot; the gliding down the stream delightful.
"If you'd read the letters, Lionel, you would see. She stayed in Melbourne with a family: friends, I think she says, of Captain Cannonby's. She has written for money to be sent out to her by the first ship, that she may pay her passage home again." This item of intelligence astonished Lionel more than any other. "Written for money to be sent out for her passage home!" he reiterated.
Gordon told him there was no necessity; any little ragged boy in the street could direct him to Dr. Cannonby's. Then he went to make his proposed journey known to Sibylla. She was standing near one of the terrace pillars, looking up at the sky, her eyes shaded with her hand. Lionel drew her inside an unoccupied room. "Sibylla, a little matter of business is calling me to London," he said.
"I thought it too late to invade you, so put up here until this morning." Lionel linked his arm within Captain Cannonby's, and drew him onwards. The moment of confirmation was come. His mind was in too sad a state to allow of his beating about the bush; his suspense had been too sharp and urgent for him to prolong it now. He plunged into the matter at once.
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