Miss Halling also was in anything rather than high spirits, and wished with all her heart she had consented to a quiet wedding months previously. Altogether the domestic atmosphere at Homewood was oppressive, when towards afternoon a telegram arrived from Mr. Deane.
"Have not yet been to solicitors. Forde wishes no steps taken till he has seen you."
Mrs. Mortomley read the message through and then went in search of Rupert.
"What is the meaning of that?" she asked.
"It means that he intends to try to cajole or threaten you to keep affairs moving a little longer. Now, Dolly, will you be firm? Promise me you will be firm."
She turned and looked at him.
"Do you mean that you think I shall lack firmness to end this life? Do you think I shall be influenced by any one when Archie is lying ill upstairs and two men are in possession downstairs? You do not quite know me yet, Rupert. The person is not in existence who shall threaten or cajole me into letting my husband be killed before my eyes, if I can save him."
"You had better not see Forde, however, if it be possible to avoid doing so."
"I do not want to see him," she replied; "but if I must, you need not fear that I shall give way now."
Though it is easy enough to be brave in presence of an enemy, it is not always so easy to maintain a courageous heart while expecting his coming; and, to state the truth, both Mrs. Mortomley and Rupert found the time which intervened between the receipt of the telegram and the arrival of Mr. Forde, take a considerable amount of courage out of them.