Mr. Loftus looked disappointed; everybody looked disappointed. Lady Pierpoint put her head out, and said:
'My dear child, the drive in the open air will refresh you; you are looking tired.'
'May I go in the dogcart if Sibyl doesn't want to?' put in Peggy in an audible aside to her mother.
'I think you are tired,' said Mr. Loftus, looking at Sibyl and shaking his head. 'And,' he added in a lower voice, 'Doll will be much disappointed.'
A faint colour covered her face, which quivered as she turned it towards him.
'Let me walk up with you,' she said again, with a tremor in her voice.
He met her appealing eyes with gentle scrutiny.
'It is not far,' he said aloud; 'not more than half a mile through the park. I will take care of her, Lady Pierpoint. We shall be at Wilderleigh almost as soon as you are.'
'Oh, mummy, may I go in the dogcart now?' implored Peggy from the depths of the omnibus.