"My darling," he said, "I knew that you would be anxious to hear what has passed. I think," he continued, bringing his handsome face on a level with hers, "I think that I shall make an excellent diplomatist in time."
"I never doubted it," replied Doris.
"I was quite pleased with myself," Earle went on to say; "I made quite an impression on the earl."
Her lips grew pale, and parted with a long, quivering sigh; she looked at him anxiously.
"In one word, Earle, is it to be as I wished or not?"
"Yes," he replied, "in every particular."
Then she resigned herself to listen.
"I never mentioned you at all in the matter," he continued. "I told him that I had observed your health and strength failing, and that I felt quite convinced, unless you rested at once, you would suffer seriously from the effects of over-fatigue. He agreed with me, and said that Lady Linleigh had remarked the same thing, and was equally anxious over you; and said that the wisest thing to do was to leave town at once, and go to Linleigh."
"But would he and Lady Linleigh be willing to give up the remainder of the season?" she asked.
"They care more for you than for the season," he replied. "My opinion is, that Lady Linleigh secretly enjoys the idea of leaving town."