For a moment longer she looked at him, as he stood there in his scornful anger. Then with a low moan she hid her face in her hands. The next minute he turned on his heel, left her where she sat, and strode off into the house.
Mina and Neeld—now at their sweets—heard his step and exchanged excited glances. He walked up to the head of the table, to Cecily's chair, plumped down into it, and called out to Mason, "Something to eat and some champagne."
"Yes, sir," said Mason in a flurry.
"Oh, by-the-bye, you can say 'my Lord' again. The lawyers blundered, and there's been a mistake."
The astonished Mason began to express felicitations. Harry was petulantly short with him.
"Oh, shut up that, my dear man, and give me some champagne." He drank a glass off and then observed, "I hope you two have had a decent dinner?" He had the manner of a host now.
"I—I hadn't much appetite," stammered Neeld.
"Well, I'm hungry anyhow," and he fell to on his beef, having waved soup and fish aside impatiently. "Tell them all downstairs what I've told you, Mason, but for heaven's sake don't let there be any fuss. Oh, and I suppose you'd better keep something hot for Lady Tristram."
Mason's exit was hastened by the consciousness of