"I heve been a-seeing Rosaline Bell off by one o' they trains, sir," answered the woman. And Frank checked his horse as he heard it and sat as still as a statue.
"Where has she gone to?"
"Off on a maggot to Falmouth. They Whistlers went and give her a prime fright, sir: she heve hardly done shaking yet, and looks as gashly as you please. She heve gone to her aunt's to forget it."
"Oh, to be sure," carelessly assented Frank: and rode on.
A few minutes afterwards, when near Trennach, he met Mrs. St. Clare's carriage; herself, two ladies, and Lydia seated within it. The coachman pulled up by orders. Of course Frank had to do the same.
"Have you been to The Mount, Mr. Raynor?"
"No, I have been across to Pendon," he answered, keeping his hat off; and the breeze took advantage of that to stir the waves of his bright hair.
"This makes two days that we have seen nothing of you," said Mrs. St. Clare. "You have not been near us since Tuesday night."
A faint flush passed over his face. He murmured something about having been very busy himself—concluded they were occupied: but he spoke rather confusedly, not at all with the usual ready manner of Frank Raynor.
"Well, we shall see you this evening, Mr. Raynor. You are coming to dine with us."