Ethel was given only one glance at Earle's pallid, sleeping face, then they hurried her away with Lord Chester to Rosemont, Mr. Conway to follow later with his daughter. Mrs. Winans sent by Ethel a message for Norah to bring Precious to the cottage, then she turned her pale, grave face on her old friend.
"Lulu left a daughter, and you did not let me know. Was that kind?" she asked, gently reproachful.
He flushed and stammered:
"Mrs. Winans, forgive me. You were abroad when Lulu died and I did not have your exact address. I was very unhappy over the loss of my wife and I neglected my duty. I took the child to my good relative, Aunt Prue, and since then my life has been a restless one. My daughter has spent almost her whole life at boarding-school until now, when we hope to settle quietly here. I hope you will give Ladybird a little of the love you gave her gentle mother."
His voice trembled, and her tender eyes were dim with tears. She could not speak. But the surgeon had debarred her from Earle's side for awhile, and presently she went to seek Ladybird in her room.
Meanwhile Lord Chester and his betrothed, in the Rosemont carriage, followed by Hetty Wilkins in the wagon with the trunks, were en route for the great house.
Lord Chester had been amazed at the cold hauteur of Ethel when she met him at the station.
She had merely inclined her graceful dark head to him without a word, and kept her slender hand hanging down by her side.
In the carriage she preserved the same distant demeanor. Her pale face and proud eyes were turned away from him toward the window.
Lord Chester regarded her in surprise for several moments, then asked gently: