Rowton, who had busied himself all day seeing to his guests and hastening their departure, came into the room where his wife and Lady Georgina were seated, about six o’clock in the evening.
“I cannot stand this inaction any longer,” he said. “I mean to go up to town to-night myself.”
“Oh, take me with you,” said Nance, springing to her feet; “the fact is, I am quite afraid to stay here alone.”
He fixed his eyes gloomily upon her—they were slightly bloodshot; his face was more or less flushed. He looked so agitated and upset that Lady Georgina seemed scarcely to know him.
“Will you have the goodness to stay with my wife?” he asked suddenly, giving her a keen intelligent glance, which also seemed to her to convey to her a certain warning.
“With pleasure,” she replied.
“But don’t leave me behind, Adrian,” cried Nance. “I know Lady Georgina is kind, but I am terrified to be left without you. Please take me with you to town.”
“I’ll send for you if necessary, Nancy,” he replied after a brief pause.
“You are surely not going to stay away long?” she asked with a gasp of terror.