"I should like very much to know," said he, at length, in an insinuating voice, "if there is any thing more that I can do just now."
"I have been thinking," said Hilda, without hesitation, "of my next course of action, and I have decided to go back to Chetwynde at once."
"To Chetwynde!"
"Yes, and to-morrow morning."
"To-morrow!"
"There is no cause for delay," said Hilda. "The time has at last come when I can act."
"To Chetwynde!" repeated Gualtier. "I can scarcely understand your purpose."
"Perhaps not," said Hilda, dryly; "it is one that need not be explained, for it will not fail to reveal itself in the course of time under any circumstances."
"But you have some ostensible purpose for going there. You can not go there merely to take up your abode on the old footing."
"I do not intend to do that," was the cool response. "You may be sure that I have a purpose. I am going to make certain very necessary arrangements for the advent of Lady Chetwynde."