"And how's your arm now?" asked Herbert, tenderly, as they entered in under the porch.
"Oh, it does not hurt me hardly at all. I don't mind it in the least." And then the door was opened for them.
They all flocked into the hall, and there they were met by Lady Fitzgerald.
"Oh, mamma," said Mary, "I know you're quite frightened out of your life! But there's nothing the matter. The horse tumbled down; but there's nobody hurt."
"And we had to walk home from the turn to Ballyclough," said Emmeline. "But, oh mamma, what's the matter?" They all now looked up at Lady Fitzgerald, and it was evident enough that something was the matter; something to be thought of infinitely more than that accident on the road.
"Oh, Mary, Mary, what is it?" said Aunt Letty, coming forward and taking hold of her sister-in-law's hand. "Is my brother ill?"
"Sir Thomas is not very well, and I've been waiting for you so long. Where's Herbert? I must speak to Herbert." And then the mother and son left the hall together.
There was then a silence among the four ladies that were left there standing. At first they followed each other into the drawing-room, all wrapped up as they were and sat on chairs apart, saying nothing to each other. At last Aunt Letty got up.
"You had better go up-stairs with Lady Clara," said she; "I will go to your mamma."
"Oh, Aunt Letty, do send us word; pray send us word," said Emmeline.