“William!” interrupted his sister, impatiently; and giving the soft hand he was holding a last, lingering pressure, the baronet turned away, with a sigh, and attended his sister to her carriage, while Rupert took Virgie to the drawing-room, where he sought Lillian, to inform her of her mother’s sudden indisposition and departure.
An hour later Mrs. Alexander and Virgie retired, for the former was not strong yet, and therefore unequal to very much dissipation.
Rupert attended them to their carriage, but just as they were about to enter it an elegant coupe drew up beside it, and Mrs. Alexander’s attention was instantly attracted by a device that was emblazoned upon one of its panels.
She stopped with her foot upon the step, and turned for a nearer view.
A startled, surprised look came into her face.
The coat of arms represented a patriarchal cross, while underneath it there were stamped the words, “Droit et Loyal.”
“Whose carriage is that?” Mrs. Alexander asked of Rupert.
He glanced in the direction indicated.
“That is Lady Linton’s,” he replied; “she has sent it back for Lillian.”
“Lady Linton’s!” repeated Mrs. Alexander, with a start, while she thought it a little strange that he should speak so familiarly of her daughter and be so well informed of the lady’s movements.