“I should advise you to go alone. I shall be a most dull companion to-day, I can assure you.”
“Well, it will be a very proper revenge on your part. For you have found me a dull companion very often, I believe.”
Rhoda could have sunk into the earth for shame and surprise at this unpleasant trial of strength between husband and wife, so utterly different from any scene she had ever witnessed between the two before.
Sir Robert held the door open for his wife to pass out, and she ran quickly upstairs. Rhoda wondered whether she would obey the command given her, and waited with a fast beating heart.
Little Caryl, who had been a silent observer, turned to her and beckoned.
“Why is papa so different? And mama too?” he asked under his breath.
And Rhoda could find no answer.
Within the five minutes accorded her Lady Sarah came downstairs hastily and not very carefully dressed, and looking as unlike as possible the brilliant, laughing creature who had been accustomed to impose her will upon all around her.
Like an automaton she went out of the house, got into the victoria, and took her seat in the corner, where she sat without a word to her husband, staring straight before her.
In the train she sat in the same way, burying herself in an illustrated paper, and replying as briefly as possible to his remarks.