He was returning immediately with his aunt to Bridport; but Mr. Churchouse broke through the barrier and spoke to him as he entered the carriage.
"Won't you see Sabina before you go, Raymond? You must realise that, even under these terrible conditions, we cannot delay. I understand she wrote to you when you came back; but that you have not answered her letter. As things are it seems to me you might like to be quietly and privately married away from Bridetown?"
Raymond hardly seemed to hear.
"I can't talk about that now. A great deal falls upon me at present. I am enormously busy and have to take up the threads of all poor Daniel was doing in the North. There is nobody but myself, in my opinion, who can go through with it. I return to London to-night."
"But Sabina?"
Raymond answered calmly.
"Sabina Dinnett will hear from me during the next twenty-four hours," he said.
Ernest gazed aghast.
"But, my dear boy, you cannot realise the situation if you talk like that. Surely you—"
"I realise the situation perfectly well. Good-bye, Uncle Ernest."