Mr. Ravenor made no sign of annoyance or surprise. I could not tell whether the news was a relief to him, or the reverse.
“Is there any answer, sir?” I inquired.
“Yes. Tell him to come to the steward for his wages in an hour’s time and be prepared to leave this evening.”
I hesitated and then repeated the words. Mr. Ravenor watched me keenly.
“You are thinking that I am a stern master,” he said abruptly.
It was exactly what had been passing through my mind and I confessed it. He shrugged his shoulders.
“I like to be obeyed implicitly, and to the letter,” he said. “If a quarter of the people who present themselves here to see me were allowed to pass through to my Castle, my leisure, which is of some value to me, would be continually broken in upon. Anderson has been careful hitherto, however, and this must be a lesson to him. You can tell him as you go out that I will give him one more chance.”
I rose, with my cap in hand, but he waved me back.
“I have a letter to write to your mother,” he said, drawing some notepaper towards him. “Wait a minute or two.”
I strolled over to the high French windows and looked out upon the grey twilight. I had scarcely stood there for a moment when the sound of horses’ feet and smoothly rolling wheels coming up the broad drive told me that Mr. Ravenor’s visitor was at hand, and immediately afterwards a small brougham flashed past the window and, describing a semi-circle, pulled up in front of the hall door. A footman leaped down from the box and several servants stood on the steps and respectfully saluted the lady who had alighted from the carriage. A moment or two later there was a knock at the door.