"He is my only brother," said Louis, as Shirley returned the note. "I cannot hear unmoved that ruffians have laid 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."
Shirley's fingers were obliged to withdraw from
