"Good-morning, Lady Eynesford," he answered, in no less hostile tones, and very different was the man who slammed the gate of Government House behind him from the bland and confident suitor who had entered it half-an-hour before.
The moment he was gone, Lady Eynesford ran to her husband.
"The next time you take a Governorship," she exclaimed, as she sank into a chair, "you must leave me at home."
"What's the matter now?"
Lady Eynesford, with much indignant comment, related the tale of Coxon's audacity.
"Of course I meant him for Eleanor," she concluded. "Did you ever hear of such a thing?"
"But, my dear, he must see Alicia if he wants to. We can't turn him out as if he was a footman! After all, he's got a considerable position here."
"Here!" And the word expressed an opinion as comprehensive as, though far more condensed than, any to be found in Tomes.
"I suppose, Mary, there's no danger of—of Alicia being——?"
"Willie! I couldn't imagine it."