"She has no faults," says he, doggedly. And then: "Well, she knows I am to be here this afternoon?"
"Yes. I told her."
"I am glad of that. If she returns with you from the Brabazons," with a quick but heavy sigh, "there will be no hope in that."
"Don't be too hard," says Mrs. Monkton, who in truth is feeling a little frightened. To come back without Joyce, and encounter an irate young man, with Freddy goodness knows where—"She may have other engagements," she says. She waves him an airy adieu as she makes this cruel suggestion, and with a kiss more hurried than usual to the children, and a good deal of nervousness in her whole manner, runs down the steps to her hansom and disappears.
Felix, thus abandoned, yields himself to the enemy. He gives his right hand to Freddy and his left to Mabel, and lets them lead him captive into the dining-room.
"I expect dinner is cold," says Tommy cheerfully, seating himself without more ado, and watching the nurse, who is always in attendance at this meal, as she raises the cover from the boiled leg of mutton.
"Oh! no, not yet," says Mr. Dysart, quite as cheerfully, raising the carving knife and fork.
Something, however, ominous in the silence, that has fallen on both children makes itself felt, and without being able exactly to realize it he suspends operation for a moment to look at them.
He finds four eyes staring in his direction with astonishment, generously mingled with pious horror shining in their clear depths.
"Eh?" says he, involuntarily.