He stood for a moment looking at her steadily—if the passionate glance could be called steady; then the thick folds of the velvet curtain fell and hid him from her sight.
Margaret stood for a moment motionless.
Lord Leyton strode through the corridor into the hall. He scarcely knew where he was going, or saw the objects before him.
"The dog-cart is ready, my lord," said a footman.
Mr. Stibbings stood with respectful attention beside the door.
"Good-morning, my lord; the portmanteau is in——" he glanced at the rose which Lord Blair still held in his hand. "If your lordship would like to take some flowers with you, I will get some: there is time——"
"Flowers? Flowers?" said Lord Blair, confusedly; then, with an exclamation, he hid the rose in his breast and sprung into the cart.
The horse bounded forward and dashed down the avenue, Lord Blair looking straight before him like a man only half awakened.
Suddenly, seeing and yet scarcely seeing, he noticed a tall, wiry figure lounging against the sign-post in the center of the village green.
"Stop!" he said to the groom.