"Not this evening, my lord—not this evening!" cried the doctor, stopping the nobleman who had seized his hat and was darting towards the door. "Lady Hatfield sleeps—and she must not be disturbed."
But Lord Ellingham was too full of his new idea to pay any attention to the physician; and he rushed from the house.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE LOVER AND THE UNCLE.
A few minutes brought Arthur to the residence of Lady Hatfield; and his hand was already upon the knocker, when a sudden idea struck him—and he asked himself, "How can I demand admission to the bed-chamber of Georgiana?"
The madness of his project now being evident to him, he mournfully turned away, when the door suddenly opened, and a tall, stout, fine-looking man, dressed as a country squire, issued from the house.
Lord Ellingham immediately recognised Sir Ralph Walsingham, Georgiana's uncle, with whom he was well acquainted. The baronet also perceived the Earl; and they shook each other cordially by the hand.
"Were you about to call?" inquired Sir Ralph.
"I was," answered Lord Ellingham. "Hearing of Lady Hatfield's illness——"
"She is better—much better," interrupted the baronet. "I have just left her; and she has not long awoke from a profound and refreshing slumber."
"I am delighted to hear these tidings," said the nobleman.