"You are right," said the man. "I have a curiosity in all that concerns the new lord. But I am going away now."
He leaped down as he spoke, and began to replace the stones. Hedges went in again.
The carriage, waiting to convey them away, was already at the door, the impatient horses pawing the ground. Maude changed her dress with all speed; and in driving down the road by starlight they overtook Thomas Carr, carrying his own portmanteau. Lord Hartledon let down the window impulsively, as if he would have spoken, but seemed to recollect himself, and drew it up again.
"What is it?" asked Maude.
"Mr. Carr."
It was the first word he had spoken to her since the ceremony. His silence had frightened her: what if he should resent on her the cruel words spoken by Dr. Ashton? Sick, trembling, her beautiful face humble and tearful enough now, she bent it on his shoulder in a shower of bitter tears.
"Oh, Percival, Percival! surely you are not going to punish me for what has passed?"
A moment's struggle with himself, and he turned and took both her hands in his.
"It may be that neither of us is free from blame, Maude, in regard to the past. All we can now do, as it seems to me, is to forget it together, and make the best of the future."
"And you will forget Anne Ashton?" she whispered.