Adela remained standing for a few moments when she had finished the letter, then went slowly to her room.
Alice returned from the garden in a short time. In passing through the hall she looked again at the two letters which remained. Neither of them had a sinister appearance; being addressed to the Manor they probably came from personal friends. She went to the drawing-room and glanced around for Adela, but the room was empty. Richard would not be home for an hour yet; she took up a novel and tried to pass the time so, but she had a difficulty in fixing her attention. In the end she once more left the house, and, after a turn or two on the lawn, strolled out of the gate.
She met her brother a hundred yards along the road. The sight of her astonished him.
‘What’s up now, Princess?’ he exclaimed. ‘House on fire? Novels run short?’
‘Something that I expect you won’t care to hear. Who do you think’s been writing to Adela? Someone in London.’
Richard stayed his foot, and looked at his sister with the eyes which suggested disagreeable possibilities.
‘Who do you mean?’ he asked briefly. ‘Not mother?’
The change in him was very sudden. He had been merry and smiling.
‘No; worse than that. She’s got a letter from Kate.’
‘From Kate? Emma’s sister?’ he asked in a low voice of surprise which would have been dismay had he not governed himself.