What was he to say? To follow the promptings of his passionate feeling for her would have been madness. No, no; duty, duty alone——
That pause of a few seconds when he summoned all his force to subdue himself, a pause which seemed to him hideously long, was broken by a neighbouring, a friendly church clock, which struck ten.
“Do you hear?” he exclaimed, seeming to be horrified although nothing could have horrified him just then. He sprang up. “I had no idea it was this hour,” he said, truthfully enough. “Have you your carriage? Who was that with you?”
“My maid,” she said. “Emma—a German. Lady Boisville sent her to me. Such a kind person!”
“But your carriage?” he asked, anxiously. It was farthest from his thoughts to compromise her.
“It is there,” she added, with a certain assertion of dignity, rising. “Perhaps you will tell—that I am coming?”
Hugh hastened to the door and called “Ralph.” A voice from the dining-room answered “Yes,” and Ralph came hurrying to the door.
“Where is the princess’ maid?” asked his father, as coldly as he could.
“She has been sitting in the dining-room with me, father.”
“That was right. Call up the carriage yourself, will you? Don’t bother Jones.”