‘I don’t think there’s much chance of that,’ returned Sir Giles. ‘The barometer has been steadily falling for the last three days. My dear, you had better give your orders at once.’
‘You had better stop, Charley,’ I said.
‘I won’t if you go,’ he returned.
Clara was beside.
‘You must not think of going,’ she said.
Whether she spoke to him or me I did not know, but as Charley made no answer—
‘I cannot stop without being asked,’ I said, ‘and it is not likely that any one will take the trouble to ask me.’
The storm increased. At the request of the ladies, the gentlemen left the library and accompanied them to the drawing-room for tea. Our hostess asked Clara to sing, but she was too frightened to comply.
‘You will sing, Mary, if Lady Brotherton asks you, I know,’ said Mrs Osborne.
‘Do, my dear,’ said Lady Brotherton; and Mary at once complied.