I found she had not as perfectly clear a recollection of that terrible evening as I have myself. I was thankful for this. I was as commonplace as I could possibly be during those days before the prince’s return. I took care she should have no time to meditate, and mammy, Lady Forwood, and good Lady Boisville helped me. I don’t know what they have thought of it all, but they have consciously or unconsciously abetted me with that woman’s own gift of tact which is worth a king’s—no, an emperor’s—ransom, aye, and far more!
The prince returned, unexpectedly, one rainy afternoon. He came in a station fly. When he entered the hall we men were playing billiards.
I fancied he looked sulky, but during the short time that followed before the general departure he was amiability itself, and has declared his intention of remaining in England the winter, also to look out for a country house near here for the——
Dr. Paull was seated in his library a misty autumn morning writing the above, when a tap at his door disturbed him.
The servant brought him a telegram:
“Come at once to London. This evening at half-past nine I will be at your house.
“Mercedes.”
CHAPTER XVI.
MIZPAH.
What was there in that telegram to cause Hugh Paull misgiving?