And he looked at Shirley.
‘I shall be glad to hear news of him; is he coming home?’
‘He is come; he is in Yorkshire; Mr. Yorke went yesterday to Stilbro’ to meet him.’
‘Mr. Moore—something is wrong—’
‘Did my voice tremble? He is now at Briarmains— and I am going to see him.’
‘What has occurred?’
‘If you turn so pale I shall be sorry I have spoken. It might have been worse; Robert is not dead, but much hurt.’
‘Oh! sir; it is you who are pale. Sit down near me.’
‘Read the note—let me open it.’
Miss Keeldar read the note; it briefly signified that last night Robert Moore had been shot at from behind the wall of Milldean plantation, at the foot of the Brow; that he was wounded severely, but it was hoped not fatally; of the assassin, or assassins, nothing was known—they had escaped.
‘No doubt,’ Mr. Yorke observed, ’it was done in revenge; it was a pity ill-will had ever been raised; but that could not be helped now.’
‘He is my only brother,’ said Louis, as Shirley returned the note. ‘I cannot hear unmoved that ruffians have lain in wait for him, and shot him down like some wild beast from behind a wall.’
‘Be comforted; be hopeful. He will get better—I know he will.’
Shirley, solicitous to soothe, held her hand over Mr. Moore’s, as it lay on the arm of the chair; she just touched it lightly, scarce palpably.
‘Well, give me your hand,’ he said: ‘it will be for the first time; it is in a moment of calamity—give it me.’
Awaiting neither consent nor refusal, he took what he asked.
‘I am going to Briarmains, now,’ he went on. ‘I want you to step over to the Rectory, and tell Caroline Helstone what has happened; will you do this? she will hear it best from you.’
‘Immediately,’ said Shirley, with docile promptitude. ‘Ought I to say that there is no danger?’
‘Say so.’
‘You will come back soon, and let me know more?’
‘I will either come or write.’
‘Trust me for watching over Caroline. I will communicate with your sister, too; but doubtless, she is already with Robert?’
‘Doubtless; or will be soon. Good-morning, now.’
‘You will bear up, come what may?’
‘We shall see that.’