Mildred rose to her feet with a smothered exclamation half of terror and surprise, and then turned pale with a vague presentiment of trouble. The figure behind her had a velvet coat and fair moustache, but could the white haggard face and bloodshot eyes belong to Roy?
'Rex, my dear Roy, were you hiding from us?'
'Hush, Aunt Milly, I don't want them to see me. I only want you.'
CHAPTER XXV
ROYAL
'This would plant sore trouble
In that breast now clear,
And with meaning shadows
Mar that sun-bright face.
See that no earth-poison
To thy soul come near!
Watch! for like a serpent
Glides that heart-disgrace.'
Philip Stanhope Worsley.
'My dear boy, were you hiding from us?'