Without hesitation she made her way to the room and opened the door. The earl was alone, leaning his head upon his hand, reading some papers which lay on the table.
“This lease is wrong, Robins,” he said, not looking up as the door opened.
Margery moved forward softly, and then knelt at his feet.
“Nugent!” she said, with a little catch in her breath as she noted his pale, worn face for the first time.
The earl turned with a smile so sweet and tender that it made Margery’s lips tremble.
“My darling!” he exclaimed, gently. “You here?”
“Nugent, you are ill—worried! Ah, I have been blind not to see it before! Oh, forgive me, forgive me!”
Lord Court raised her head tenderly.
“Why, Margery,” he said, lightly, “what is the matter? Who has been frightening you?”
“I am nervous about you; you look so worn and ill. Nugent, you must put away those deeds and writings. They distress me.”