Margaret arrived at the Court just before dinner. Her future sisters-in-law, Anne and Dorothy, ran out on the lawn to meet her.
"Oh, how white and tired you look!"
"I am not a bit tired; you know I am always pale. Dorothy, has any news come yet from Salisbury?"
"Nothing special," replied Dorothy. "The groom has come back to tell us that we are not to wait dinner for either father or Robert. You will come into the house now, won't you, Margaret?"
"No, I'd rather stay out here. I don't want any dinner."
"Nor do I. I will stay with you," said Dorothy. "Isn't there a lovely view from here? I love this part of the grounds better than any other spot. You can just get a peep of the Cathedral to the right and the Plain to the left."
"I hate the Plain," said Margaret, with a shiver. "I wish Grandcourt didn't lie so near it."
Dorothy Awdrey raised her delicate brows in surprise.
"Why, the Plain is the charm of Grandcourt," she exclaimed. "Surely, Margaret, you are not going to get nervous and fanciful, just because a murder was committed on the Plain."
"Oh, no!" Margaret started to her feet. "Excuse me, Dorothy, I see Robert coming up the avenue."