The moments passed on. Half an hour elapsed, then an hour—an age it seemed to the impatient Ray. In his restlessness, he paced rapidly up and down, with knit brows, casting quick, restless glances at the door.
It opened at last, and Lady Maude, dressed as if for a journey, entered, leaning on her husband’s arm. Both were very pale; and Lady Maude’s eyes looked as if she had been weeping. But she was more composed and natural-looking than when she had left the room.
Ray stopped in his walk, and met the eyes of Lord De Courcy.
“Mr. Germaine,” he said, holding out his hand, “for your mother’s sake, you must look upon me as a father!”
Ray bent over the hand he extended with a look of deep gratitude, such as no words could express.
“Lady Maude has told me all,” continued his lordship. “And at the request of the unhappy man whom you say is dying, we will start with you immediately.”
As Ray bowed, Ranty arose, and the earl caught sight of him.
“Mr. Lawless,” he exclaimed, in pleased surprise; “I did not expect to meet you here. My dear, you remember the gallant preserver of Rita’s life?”
Ranty actually blushed at the epithet, coming as it did from the father of Erminie.
“Would you wish to see Lady Rita? She is up-stairs.”