"On this subject?" said Sir Timothy.
"A letter from Peter."
"Why did you not say so earlier?" said Sir Timothy, harshly.
"I will explain, if you will kindly give me five minutes in the study."
"A letter from Peter," said Lady Mary, "and not—to me."
She looked round at them all with a little vacant smile.
John Crewys, who knew nothing of Peter's letter, had already grasped the situation. He divined also that Lady Mary was fighting piteously against the conviction that Sarah's news was true.
"How could we guess you did not know?" said Mrs. Hewel, almost weeping.
"I am still in the dark," said Sir Timothy, coldly.
"Birch will explain at once," said the doctor, impatiently.