At the dinner-hour Graves appeared.
"Have you brought it—the letter?"
"No; I've brought a message from her ladyship—that Sir Maxwell Danby is below, and dines here; and you are to go downstairs."
"I will not go downstairs—I will not see him," Griselda said passionately. "Say, Graves, please, that I am unwell, and desire to remain in my room."
"My poor child!—my poor child!" Graves said. "I think you had best go—I do, indeed!"
"You would not say so if you knew. No; I will not go. Make my apologies, and say what is true-that I am not well. But, Graves, that letter—did you send it?"
"I have told you so, Miss Griselda. I speak the truth, as you ought to know."
"Did David take it?"
And now Graves hesitated a little:
"I gave it to his care as soon as I went down this morning; but——"