“Then if he has, it is the yielding to a sudden impulse, and as soon as he comes to his senses he will return. Lindon will not be such a coward, Laura. Mark my words.”
“You are saying this to comfort me,” said Mrs Lavington sadly.
“I am saying what I think,” cried her brother. “If I thought he had gone right off, I would say so, but I do not think anything of the kind. He may have thought of doing so last night, but this morning he will repent and come back.”
He took his sister’s hand gently, and led her downstairs, making her resume her place at the table, and taking his own again, as he made a pretence of going on with his breakfast; but before he had eaten his second mouthful there was a dull heavy thump at the front door.
“There!” cried the old man; “what did I say? Here he is.”
Before the front door could be opened, Kitty, who had been awakened by the knock, came in looking scared and strange.
“Don,” she said; “I have been asleep. Has he come back?”
“Yes I think this is he,” said the old man gently. “Come here, my pet; don’t shrink like that. I’m not angry.”
“If you please, sir,” said Jessie, “here’s a woman from the yard.”
“Mrs Wimble?”