Miss Grantham’s cheeks were perfectly white when she looked up from her perusal of this letter. She said in a strangled voice: “When did this come? Why was it not brought to me instantly?”
“Well, my love, you had shut yourself up in your room, and I did not think it would be important,” said her ladyship uneasily. “It was brought round at about midnight, I think. What does it say?”
“I cannot tell you!” said Miss Grantham. “Lucius has done something so dreadful—Aunt Lizzie, I must go out instantly, and I do not know when I shall return! Pray tell Silas to order the carriage—no, I will take a hackney! I have not a moment to waste!”
“But, Deb!” shrieked her aunt. “Where are you going?”
“To Mr Ravenscar!” replied Miss Grantham. “I cannot explain the reason to you, but it is imperative that I should see him at once. Pray do not try to stop me!”
Lady Bellingham opened her mouth, shut it again, and sank back in her chair as one past human succour.
Twenty minutes later, a hackney-carriage set Miss Grantham down at Mr Ravenscar’s door. It was opened to her by a footman, and she demanded, in a voice which she tried hard to steady, to see Mr Ravenscar immediately. The footman looked very much surprised at this request, and asked her doubtfully if it were Mrs Ravenscar she wished to see.
“No, no!” Deborah said. “My errand is to Mr Ravenscar, and it is most urgent! I desire you will tell him that Miss Grantham begs the favour of a few minutes’ speech with him!”
The footman looked more doubtful still, but he admitted her into the house, and led her to the library, saying that he would see if his master were at home. He then went away, and Miss Grantham began to pace about the room, much as its owner had done on the previous evening, clasping and unclasping her gloved hands.
In a very short time the door opened again. “Miss Grantham!” Ravenscar said, in a voice which betrayed his amazement. “Good God, what is it!” he exclaimed, as she turned, and he saw her face.