"I shall not go to town, Gale," he says, after a minute or two of thought. "Counter-order the carriage. Mr. Branscombe comes home to-night."
CHAPTER XXII.
"When there is a great deal of smoke, and no clear flame, it argues much moisture in the matter, yet it witnesseth, certainly, that there is fire there."—Leighton.
Long before the night has set in he comes; and, as he enters the room where his uncle sits awaiting him, Lord Sartoris tells himself that never before has he seen him so handsome, so tall, so good to look at.
"Your telegram made me uneasy," he says, abruptly, "so I came back sooner than I had intended. Had you mine?"
"Yes; some hours ago."
"Did you want me, Arthur?"
"Yes; but not your return here. I sent my telegram principally to learn your address, as I had made up my mind to go up to town. You have frustrated that plan."
There is a meaning in his tone that puzzles Dorian.