Doris read and re-read the elegant epistle, vainly striving, as we all do, to form some idea of the character of the unknown writer; then she sat down and wrote an answer, saying that she would come to Chester Gardens the following day.
Now that she had recovered from the lethargy which had closely followed her great trouble, she was filled with a restless desire to get away from Barton and its painful association. She at once set to work at the preparations for her journey, and it was not until she had packed up her things that it occurred to her that she could not go until she had bidden farewell to Mr. Spenser Churchill.
Doris’ feeling toward that gentleman was a peculiar one. He had befriended her when she had been most in need of a friend; had shown an amount of consideration and delicacy to her, a stranger, which, when she pondered over it, amazed her; and she was grateful. But she had not forgotten the dead man’s warning, and it still haunted her, although Spenser Churchill had so cleverly managed to allay her suspicions by his frank confession that, in the quarrel between him and Jeffrey, he had been in the wrong. And yet, though her suspicions were allayed, she was conscious of a strange feeling of disquietude while in his presence; a feeling that was neither quite dread nor doubt, but partook of both sentiments.
Still, he had been most kind, and her gratitude would not allow her to go without seeing him again.
After a good deal of reflection, she wrote a couple of lines to him, telling him that she had arranged to start on the morrow, and asking him to call and see her; and she sent it by a lad to the Towers.
An hour or two later Mr. Spenser Churchill arrived.
“I am glad, very glad, my dear young lady,” he said, pressing the hand which she gave him, “that you have resolved to seek change of scene so promptly. You will find dear Lady Despard a most charming and amiable lady, who will prove a—er—valuable friend; and I hope, I may say I am sure, that you will be happy. You must let me have the pleasure of seeing you off by the train to-morrow——”
Doris shook her head gently but firmly.
“I could not let you take so much trouble,” she said. “I am leaving quite early in the morning, and——”
He nodded.