CHAPTER VIII.
WARREN'S RETURN.
Warren Courtly returned home during the week, and Irene was at the Manor to receive him. She did not welcome him with her usual heartiness, and he expected there was something wrong.
"You have been away a long time," she said. "I expected you home last week. Your business must have been very important."
"It was," he replied, "and I have not finished it. I shall have to go to London again soon."
"I will accompany you," she said; "I have not been to London for some time."
"As you wish. I shall be glad of your society. Have you been staying with the Squire?"
"Yes, and we have managed to pass the time pleasantly. I took him the picture of Random, and he was delighted with it; he has it in his study. We were very much surprised to see an announcement in the paper that you had sold the Holme Farm, but I suppose it is incorrect?"