"Lilian has extorted a solemn promise to that effect," said Leycester, as he shook hands with Mr. Etheridge.
Then he held out his hand to Stella, but in spite of prudence he could not part from her till the last moment.
"Let me take you to your carriage," he said, "and see that you are well wrapped up."
The countess's eyes grew cold, and she looked beyond them rather than at them, and Stella murmured something about trouble, but he laughed softly, and drawing her hand on his arm led her away.
All the room saw it, and a sort of thrill ran through them; it was an attention he paid only to such old and honored friends as the old countess and Lenore.
"Oh, why did you come?" whispered Stella, as they reached the hall. "The countess looked so angry."
He smiled.
"I could not help it. There, not a word more. Now let me wrap this round you;" and, of course, as he wrapped it round her, he managed to convey a caress in the touch of his hand.
"Remember, my darling," he murmured, almost dangerously loud, as he put her into the fly. "To-morrow at six."