But they were scarcely seated before Lord Chester looked around and said gravely:
"I have another surprise for you all."
And as they listened to him in amazement he continued:
"I received a cablegram from my father to-day, and he announces that the claimant has gained the suit, while he and I have lost wealth and title, and remain only loyal British subjects."
Murmurs of surprise and sympathy arose all around him, but he looked only at Ethel's pale, startled face and in a moment he said to her lightly but with underlying earnestness:
"You have only three days left, Ethel, in which to decide whether it was the man or the title you wished to marry."
She only smiled in reply.