"They are growing impatient, papa," said the boy, entering the room half timidly. "It is nigh flood, and we shall want all the ebb to take us round the Caskets."
"And are _you_ so impatient to be off, Harry?" said he, in a low soft voice; "do you wish to leave me, Harry?"
"Not if you would have me stay, papa; but I thought, I used to think at least--that----"
"That we made but little companionship together, you would say," said Luttrell, mildly; "that we lived too much apart. Well, it is true," said he, with a deep sigh, "quite true." He paused for a moment, and then, with a sort of effort, and in a changed voice, continued: "If I should be no more here when you come back, Harry, do not let this old place fall to ruin. It has sheltered me during many a year of sorrow, and sorrow has a very attaching quality!"
"Papa, I will not go. I will not leave you!" said the boy, falling on his neck, and kissing him over and over.
"You must be manly, Sir," said Luttrell, rising and disengaging himself from the boy's embrace. "When men promise, they are bound to keep their word."
The tone, the look, the gesture, fully as much as the stern words themselves, recalled Harry to himself, and he drew his hand roughly across his eyes, and stepping back, stationed himself, as he was wont, to hear his father's commands.
"I have written to Sir Gervais Vyner the letter you see here, asking him to be your guardian in case I should die before your return. I have reason to hope he will not refuse me. If he accept, you will obey him in all things. You would obey me, at all events. Whenever you return to England, seek him out, and learn to know him as the last friend I had left me."
The calm and resolute tone of the boy seemed for an instant almost to overcome the father, who stood and stared steadfastly at him.
"I have told Sir Gervais," he continued, "that he will find you honourable, truthful, and brave; see that my words be borne out. And I have besought him to give you all that his friendship can bestow; but on no account--mind this, boy--on no account assist you with money. You hear me, Harry?"
"I do, Sir. I will not forget your words."
"If you should have any immediate call for money, I have told your Captain I will repay him for what he will advance you; be thrifty, for I have but little to live on, as you will discover one of these days when it is all your own."