"I must get away," was the eager, terrified interruption, and Adela bore onwards to the outer door.
The carriage was called, and came up. In point of fact, Sir Sandy and his wife had privately agreed to keep it waiting, in case Adela should turn faint in the unusual scene and have to leave. In the porte cochère they encountered a lady who was only then arriving.
"What, going already!" she exclaimed.
"Yes," replied Lady Harriet; "and I wish you would just tell Sir Sandy for me: you will be sure to see him somewhere in the rooms. Say my sister does not feel well, and we have gone home."
They passed out to the carriage and were soon bowling along the streets. Adela drew into her corner, cowering and shivering.
"Did you see him?" she gasped.
"Oh yes, I saw him," grumblingly responded Lady Harriet, who was not very pleased at having to quit the gay scene in this summary fashion. "I am sure Sandy will conclude we have been spirited away, unless Mrs. Seymour finds him. A fine flurry he'll be in."
"Harriet, what did it mean? They called him Sir Francis Netherleigh."
"He is Sir Francis Netherleigh."
"Since when? Why did you not tell me?"