Sir Rupert displayed his tongue, and submitted his pulse to the doctor, and let himself be pulled away by May.
"The gray mare in that span is decidedly the better horse," laughed the doctor. "What a little despot in pinafores it is."
When her visitors had left, Lady Thetford walked to the window and stood watching the two children racing in the sunshine. It was a pretty sight, but the lady's face was contracted with pain.
"No, no," she thought. "I hope not—I pray not. Strange! but I never thought of the possibility before. She will be poor, and Rupert must marry a rich wife, so that if——"
She paused, with a sort of shudder, then added:
"What will he think, my darling boy, of his father and mother if that day ever comes?"
CHAPTER IV.
MRS. WEYMORE.
Lady Thetford had settled her business satisfactorily with the rector of St Gosport.