And so in silence, with bent head, he left her. And the sun went out of her sky.
CHAPTER VII
THE WAY OF THE WYNDHAMS
When Mordaunt returned from his ride, it was close upon the luncheon-hour. He went straight upstairs to prepare for the meal.
Chris's room was empty. He wondered where she was, but Noel bounded in and enlightened him before he descended.
"She's doing the pretty to Aunt Philippa," he reported. "Only three more hours now! Hip, hip, hooray!"
His yell caused Mordaunt to fling the towel he was using at his head, a compliment which seemed to please him immensely. He draped it round his neck and proceeded to deliver himself of that which he had come to say.
"Look here, Trevor, you've been bullying Chris, haven't you? You needn't say you haven't, because I know you have."
"Did she tell you so?" Mordaunt sounded grim.
Noel turned to look at him. "No. She said you hadn't. But she always tells a cram when it suits her purpose. I knew you had all the same."