"To tell the truth," said Graham, "I have an appointment which I am very anxious to keep."
"An appointment? Where? Here at Noningsby, do you mean?"
"In this house. But yet I cannot say that it is absolutely an appointment. I am going to ask your sister what my fate is to be."
"And that is the appointment! Very well, my dear fellow; and may God prosper you. If you can convince the governor that it is all right, I shall make no objection. I wish, for Madeline's sake, that you had not such a terrible bee in your bonnet."
"And you will go to the judge alone?"
"Oh, yes. I'll tell him—. What shall I tell him?"
"The truth, if you will. Good-bye, old fellow. You will not see me again to-night, nor yet to-morrow in this house, unless I am more fortunate than I have any right to hope to be."
"Faint heart never won fair lady, you know," said Augustus.
"My heart is faint enough then; but nevertheless I shall say what I have got to say." And then he got up from the table.
"If you don't come down to us," said Augustus, "I shall come up to you. But may God speed you. And now I'll go to the governor."