Thus saying, he shambled out of the room through the open casement. She followed him impulsively, wonderingly; but before she reached his side he turned round, waved his hand with a gently repelling gesture, and went his way alone through dense fir-groves which had been planted in honour of Kenelm's birth.
CHAPTER II.
KENELM arrived at Exmundham just in time to dress for dinner. His arrival was not unexpected, for the morning after his father had received his communication, Sir Peter had said to Lady Chillingly—"that he had heard from Kenelm to the effect that he might be down any day."
"Quite time he should come," said Lady Chillingly. "Have you his letter about you?"
"No, my dear Caroline. Of course he sends you his kindest love, poor fellow."
"Why poor fellow? Has he been ill?"
"No; but there seems to be something on his mind. If so we must do what we can to relieve it. He is the best of sons, Caroline."
"I am sure I have nothing to say against him, except," added her Ladyship, reflectively, "that I do wish he were a little more like other young men."
"Hum—like Chillingly Gordon, for instance?"
"Well, yes; Mr. Gordon is a remarkably well-bred, sensible young man. How different from that disagreeable, bearish father of his, who went to law with you!"