She looked yet paler, and seemed in a sort of stupor. Ellis respectfully held open the door, but she did not advance: the fury, however, of her aspect was abated, and Ellis, in a voice condolingly soft, asked whether she might hope that Miss Joddrel would, once more, condescend to sit with her before her departure.
At these words Elinor seemed to shake herself, and presently, though in a hollow tone, pronounced, 'Are you then going?'
Ellis plaintively answered Yes!
'And ... with whom?' cried Elinor, raising her eyes with a glance of fire.
'With no one, Madam. I go alone.'
This answer was uttered with a firmness that annulled all suspicion of deceit.
Elinor appeared again to breathe.
'And whither?' she demanded, 'whither is it you go?'
'I know not, alas!—but I mean to make an attempt at Howel Place.'
The countenance of Elinor now lost its rigidity, and with a cry almost of extacy, she exclaimed, 'Upon Lord Melbury?—your new admirer? O go to him!—hasten to him!—dear, charming Ellis, away to him at once!—'