The Earl did as he was bid.
"Robert, what do you mean by saying that you have taken a room at the 'Unicorn'?--an inn!--a mere tavern! at the gate of your father's house!"
"The 'Unicorn' can hardly be said to be at the gate of Holtye, since it is at a distance of a good five miles."
"Stuff, sir! Five miles or fifty, what does it matter? Holtye is your home, and you will be so good as to come home; we've been expecting you; we've been looking forward to your return; I trust that the day is far distant on which you will cease to regard Holtye as your home."
"Unless he wishes to break his mother's heart."
The interpolation was the lady's.
"So no nonsense, sir; get into the carriage and we'll drive you home."
"You are very kind; permit me, sir, to finish. It is plain that my mother and you have made up your minds that Miss Lindsay shall not become my wife; you will probably leave no stone unturned which will keep us apart. I appreciate your motives, and though I think them unworthy, I know you think they're for my good; but I have made up my mind that she shall be my wife, and I will stop at nothing which will bring about that desirable consummation. Under these conditions obviously the more we are together the more friction there will be; and therefore, equally obviously, it is desirable that, for the present at least, I should not come to Holtye. But I promise you this, that when she's my wife I'll come--and I'll bring her with me."
"You'll do nothing of the kind; if you ever do marry her you'll never set foot inside the door again."
This, of course, was the Countess; her son laughed.