“Mr Bray wants to see you, miss,” said a housemaid, entering the schoolroom, the footman not being dressed at so early an hour.
“To see me?” ejaculated Ella.
“Yes, miss; he says he wants to see you pertickler, and he’s now waiting in the dining-room.”
“Is Mrs Marter down yet?” said Ella, troubled at this unusual call, and at such a strange hour.
“No, miss; nor won’t be for long enough.”
“Ask Mr Bray if he would be kind enough to call again at twelve,” said Ella, after a few moments’ thought. “I am engaged now with the children.”
“Yes, miss,” said the girl; and she departed, to return at the end of five minutes, with a card bearing in pencil:
“If you value your peace of mind, come to me. I have a letter for you from the country. A case of life or death!”
“Mrs Brandon must be ill,” thought Ella; and hurriedly leaving the room, she stood the next minute face to face with Max, who was very pale, as he respectfully held out his hand, which was, however, unnoticed.
“Miss Bedford,” he said softly, “I fear that my visits have always been associated with that which was to you unpleasant, from the fact, though, that you did not know my real nature. This visit will, I fear, be only another that shall add to the dislike you entertain for me, but which of late you have so kindly disguised.”