"Colonel, Colonel," called out Miss Hest again.
"I must go. Follow Miss Corsoon and pacify the old lady," said Towton hurriedly, and hastened into the house, leaving Vernon much astonished by his behaviour. Had the young man known of Miss Hest's visit on the previous evening, he might not have been so perplexed. As it was, he hastened after Lucy, who by this time was rapidly gaining on her indignant mother, with a feeling that Towton knew more than he did concerning the present state of affairs. Which as he afterwards learned, was precisely the case.
The Colonel entered the gloomy drawing-room to find Ida weeping on the sofa and Frances comforting her. Before he could say a word, the latter turned on him indignantly. "Why did you send that insulting woman here?"
"She came of her own accord," explained Towton frowning at the speech, "and surely Lady Corsoon has not insulted Ida."
"And me. She has insulted us both," cried Miss Hest angrily. "I should have had her turned out of the house had she not gone."
"It was my fault by telling her that I was not her niece," said Ida in an agitated tone. "As if I could help that. But I won't trouble her in any way; she has never been kind to me. I shall not set eyes on her again."
"But, Ida," said Towton, taking her hand and striving to speak cheerfully, "I want you to come to the Grange."
"Not while Lady Corsoon is there, Richard."
Frances drew a long breath of relief, which annoyed the Colonel. "Are you detaining Miss Dimsdale here?" he asked snappishly, for late events had tried his temper greatly.
"Oh, no," cried Ida before her friend could speak. "As if Frances would do such a thing! But Lady Corsoon has been so rude."