She peered out into the sweet-scented darkness, but the brougham was closed. That, at least, was wise of Gilbert, for the night was a little chilly now.
“We were getting so anxious,” she called out to two white, blurred faces she saw within. “What a long time you have been away.”
Then a figure, unfamiliar to her, alighted. Surely there were only two people in the brougham. She heard Lady Currey behind her exclaim “Dr. Green!” in tones of surprise.
The man turned again to the brougham, and helped out a very old man. As Claudia saw the limpness and dejection of Sir John she turned sick. Something had happened.
The coachman shut the door.
Dr. Green and her father-in-law came up the steps, the doctor supporting the older man. Why did Sir John need support? He was usually quite hale and hearty for his age.
The coachman was making ready to drive away. Where was Gilbert?
With fascinated, frightened eyes she watched the two mount almost abreast of her.
Then the old man raised his eyes, as heavy and sombre as Gilbert’s and now dark with suffering.