"Yes, miss, I told him so; but he said he wanted to see you. He hasn't got any luggage; I don't think he means to stay. He's come in his motor, miss."
Caroline paused only an instant. Her brows had met with a frown—a sign that she was moved and nervous.
"Please say I will be down directly."
She went towards her bedroom with the intention of changing her dress, and then she checked herself.
Stealing into the children's room, she whispered to Dennis that she was going downstairs. The maid nodded her head; the children were quite quiet, and Dennis herself looked half asleep.
As she went slowly down the broad staircase Caroline saw him. He was standing in front of the fire in the hall warming his hands.
"Both Mr. and Mrs. Brenton are out—a rare occurrence," she said; "but it is a village festival...."
She gave him her hand, and as he took it she coloured very faintly.
"Yes, so I hear. I am rather glad to see you alone." His tone was terse. As Caroline moved forward to the fire he said, "I have come down to ask for news of Camilla. Can you give me any?"
The girl looked at him for an instant.