There was a quickness and decision in his manner which was inexpressibly comforting to her. Knowing very little about him, there was still a mixture of kindness and shrewdness in his face, and a straightforward honesty that impressed her.
She rose to join her brother with half her trouble gone.
"Who has been here?" he asked, as she entered the room.
"Oh, brother, such a wonderful thing! No sooner had my telegram to Mr. Stevens gone than he himself appeared. He had heard something and came to find out what we knew."
Mrs. Dorriman gave a sigh of relief as she sat down.
"Who wrote to him?" asked Mr. Sandford; "does Grace know him?"
"I do not think so; but Sir Albert Gerald wrote. He was corresponding with him on business."
"Sir Albert Gerald?" exclaimed Mr. Sandford; "isn't he the man who was nearly killed at Lornbay?"
"And that Margaret found? Yes," said Mrs. Dorriman.
"What in the world can he be doing there?" said Mr. Sandford; "he had better have kept away."