Not another word was spoken, for the carriage was rolling up the driveway, to the house. They saw Precious on the long piazza waiting.
At sight of that beautiful young figure Ethel frowned heavily, and a qualm of pain shook her proud heart.
"What if he turns to her? But he shall not!" she thought bitterly.
She just touched his hand in springing from the carriage, then found Precious clinging about her neck.
"Oh, I'm so glad to see you, darling!" she cooed, but Ethel soon shook her off.
"Don't you see I'm tired to death? Let me go in and rest. Norah, how are you? By the way, send the housekeeper to me. We are to have guests—Lord Chester, Mr. Conway, and his daughter. Are the guest rooms ready?"
Lord Chester stepped forward, and said in a low voice:
"It will not be convenient for me to remain at Rosemont, Miss Winans. I shall go to the village hotel until my friend Earle is better, then I am going away."
He saw the beautiful dark face turn ashy pale at his words, but she did not answer, and with a low bow that included all he walked away.