"I am not very well," he said to one of the grooms; "go to the house and tell Frampton, the butler, to bring some brandy here."
In a few minutes the butler appeared with a tray, on which stood bottle and glass.
"This is some very old brandy, sir," he said, "and very strong."
But Captain Langton did not appear to heed him; he poured out half a tumblerful and drank it, while the butler looked on in amazement.
"It is very strong, sir," he repeated.
"I know what I am doing," returned the captain, with an oath.
He was dizzy with fear and with his after-success; he shuddered again as he mounted his horse, and the memory of Pauline's face and Pauline's words came over him. Then he galloped off, and Frampton, turning to the groom, with a scared face, said:
"If he gets home safely after taking so much of that brandy, and with that horse, I will never venture to say what I think again."
Lady Darrell returned to the library, where she had left Pauline. They looked at each other in silence, and then Lady Darrell said: