"He has defied his father, Isabella."
"He has obeyed his country's call, Georgina. Had the admiral been alive, he would certainly have volunteered."
John Crewys made an involuntary step forward and placed himself between the sofa and the table, as though to shield Lady Mary from their observation, but he could not prevent their words from reaching her ears.
She whispered to him very softly. "Will you get the letter for me? I want to see—for myself—what—what Peter says."
"Go quietly into the library," said John, bending over her for a moment. "I will bring it you there immediately."
She obeyed him without a word.
John turned to the sofa. "I beg your pardon, canon," he said courteously, "but Lady Mary cannot bear this suspense. Allow me to take her son's letter to her at once."
"I—I am only waiting for Sir Timothy. It is to him I have to break the news; though, of course, there is nothing that Lady Mary may not know," said the canon, in a polite but flurried tone. "I really should not like—"
"My brother must see it first," said Miss Crewys, decidedly.
"Exactly. I am sure Sir Timothy would not be pleased if—Bless my soul!"