Mr. Galloway at length concluded his long-delayed dinner that evening. Then he put on his hat, and, with Roland’s letter safe in his pocket, went out again to call on Lady Augusta. It happened, however, that Lady Augusta was not at home.
She had gone to dine at Colonel Joliffe’s, a family who lived some distance from Helstonleigh—necessitating an early departure from home, if she would be in time for their six o’clock dinner-hour. It had thus occurred that when the afternoon’s post arrived, Lady Augusta was in the bustle and hurry of dressing; and Lady Augusta was one of those who are, and must be, in a bustle, even if they are only going to a friendly dinner-party.
Martha was busily assisting, and the cook brought up two letters. “Both for my lady,” she said, giving them to Martha.
“I have no time for letters now,” called out my lady. “Put them into my drawer, Martha.”
Martha did as she was bid, and Lady Augusta departed. She returned home pretty late, and the letters remained in their receptacle untouched.
Of course, to retire to rest late, necessitated, with Lady Augusta Yorke, rising late the next morning. About eleven o’clock she came down to breakfast. A letter on the breakfast-table brought to her remembrance the letters of the previous night, and she sent Martha for them. Looking at their addresses, she perceived one of them to be from Roland; the other from Lord Carrick: and she laid them by her to be opened presently.
“Mr. Galloway called last night, my lady,” observed Martha.
“Oh, did he?” said Lady Augusta.
“He said he wanted to see your ladyship particularly. But I said you were gone to Colonel Joliffe’s.”
Barely had Lady Augusta tasted her coffee, the letters still lying unopened at her side, when William Yorke entered, having just left the cathedral.