He slept on until noon, and then awoke with a weight upon his mind, though a very vague idea of what it meant. But presently, as his brain grew clearer, he remembered all the perplexing events of the preceding day and cursed his fate for bringing him into such an embarrassing position.
As he made his morning toilet he reflected that his uncle, an “early bird,” like most old country gentlemen, had probably some hours before this called at his room at the Blank House and found him absent, and perhaps had been told by the servants there that he had not been in all night.
What could the old gentleman think of such irregularity on the part of his nephew and intended son-in-law?
Alexander scarcely dared to answer that question. But full of anxious and perplexing thoughts, he finished his toilet and went below stairs.
In the breakfast room he found a fine fire, a neat table, and his lovely young wife in her pretty morning dress of white merino with black trimmings.
She put aside the book she had been reading and arose to receive him. He kissed her in silence and then dropped heavily into his chair.
She rang the bell and ordered breakfast served.
“I hope you have not waited for me, dear?” he languidly remarked.
“No; I had a cup of tea and a bit of dry toast when I first came down; but that was nine o’clock, and it is after one now; so I am quite ready to take breakfast with you. It will be my lunch.”
Fragrant Mocha coffee, fresh eggs, smoked salmon, broiled chicken and light muffins were soon placed upon the table; and the two sat down to breakfast.