This note was immediately conveyed to Captain Fitzhardinge by Cecilia's lady's-maid, who was the confidant of her mistress's intrigues.
Having despatched her missive, the baronet's wife proceeded to the duties of the toilet.
This employment, breakfast, the newspaper, and a novel, wiled away the time until about one o'clock, when Lady Cecilia, having ascertained that her husband had gone out half an hour previously, descended to the drawing-room.
She was attired in a simple and unpretending manner; but then she knew that this style became her best.
She was determined to captivate that day; and certainly she had seldom appeared to greater advantage.
Her rich auburn hair,—of a hue as warm as the disposition which it characterised,—fell in long hyperion ringlets upon her sloping shoulders: her blue eyes were expressive of a feeling of languid voluptuousness; and her pure complexion was set off by the dark dress that she wore.
The time-piece upon the mantel had scarcely struck two, when a loud double-knock at the front-door resounded through the house.
Lady Cecilia started from her seat, for she had forgotten to instruct the servants "that she was only at home to Captain Fitzhardinge." But she was too late to remedy her neglect; the summons was already answered ere she had gained the landing on which the drawing-room opened.
She accordingly returned to the sofa, and composed herself to receive the visitor, whoever it might be.
In a few moments the servant announced the Earl of Warrington.