Of course, it was not the visitor likely to give most pleasure to Lord Level. As the steward introduced Mr. Ravensworth and left them together, Lord Level regarded him with a cold, stern glance.
"So it is you!" he exclaimed. "May I ask what brings you down here? Did my lady send for you?"
"No," answered Mr. Ravensworth, advancing towards the bed. "Major Carlen called at my house this morning and requested me to come down. I could not reach Marshdale before to-night."
"Major Carlen? Oh! very good. Major Carlen dare not interfere between me and my wife; and he knows that."
"So far as I believe, Major Carlen has no intention or wish to interfere. Lady Level sent to him in her alarm, and he requested me to come down in his place."
"If Major Carlen has entered into an arrangement with you to come to my house and pry into matters that concern myself alone——"
"I beg your lordship's pardon," was the curt interruption. "I do not like or respect Major Carlen sufficiently well to enter into any 'arrangement' with him. I came down here, certainly in compliance with his desire, but in a spirit of kindness towards Lady Level, and to be of assistance to yourself if it were possible."
"How came you to bring Lady Level over from Germany?"
"She wished to come over."
"And I wished and desired her to stay there until I could join her. Do you call that interference?"