“Papa must have been taking a long drive,” observed Louisa.
“One can judge of that in a minute by the horses,” cried Vincent, sauntering up to a window, and opening a leaf of the shutters that he might look out into the night. “Why, that’s not our carriage at all, it has only one horse; I know whose it is, it’s Mr. Mark’s,—papa’s man of business; what on earth brings him here at this hour?”
“That’s not papa’s voice in the hall,” said Arabella.
“I fear that something is indeed the matter!” exclaimed Louisa, starting from her seat.
Her suspicion was soon confirmed by the sound of the study-bell violently rung; then they heard the door open, and Mr. Mark’s voice below, calling for water for Mrs. Effingham.
“Something terrible has happened,” cried Lady Selina, and the next moment the drawing-room was vacated by all.
CHAPTER XVIII
CALCULATIONS.
“Bankrupt! stopped payment!” exclaimed Lady Selina, as Mr. Mark repeated to her the substance of the tidings, which, like a sudden blow, had prostrated the spirit of Clemence. The lady and the man of business were conversing alone, Clemence having been removed to her room in a fainting state, attended by Louisa and Vincent.