But for Lucia, to whom at the moment material things were unrealities, the burning question was the honesty or dishonesty of Rickman; for it involved the loyalty or disloyalty, or rather, the ardour or the indifference of Horace. If Rickman were cleared of the grosser guilt, her cousin was, on a certain minor count, condemned; and there could be no doubt which of the two she was the more anxious to acquit.
"I suppose you'll see him if he calls?" asked Kitty when they were alone.
"See who?"
"Mr. Savage Keith Rickman." Even in the midst of their misery Kitty could not forbear a smile.
But for once Lucia was inaccessible to the humour of the name.
"Of course I shall see him," she said gravely.
CHAPTER XXXVI
He called soon after six that evening, coming straight from the station to the house. Miss Palliser was in the library, but his face as he entered bore such unmistakable signs of emotion that Kitty in the kindness of her heart withdrew.