The moment he was at liberty Mellen hurried through the parlors and up the stairs, opened the door of Elizabeth's dressing-room, and entered. There she was, standing at the window, looking out. She turned quickly, and in some confusion at his sudden entrance.
"Is it you?" she asked.
"Yes; I have been looking for you everywhere!"
"I came up here for a moment's quiet," she answered. "I am very, very tired; I wish it was all over, Grantley."
"Have you been out?" he asked.
It seemed to him that she hesitated a little, as she answered—
"Out? No; where—what do you mean?"
"I thought I saw you in the grounds a little while ago."
"I should not be likely to go out in this dress," she replied, glancing down at the point lace flounces that floated over the snowy satin of her train. "Come, we must go down stairs; our guests will think us careless hosts."
Mellen felt and looked dissatisfied, but could not well press the matter farther.