"Mamma----" began the former, and then stopped at sight of Wicks. "That will do, Wicks," said Mrs. Drelincourt.
The man bowed and left the room.
Then Marian began afresh. "I can see by your face, mamma, that you have heard this terrible rumor; but surely, surely it cannot be true!"
"As you say, dear, it surely cannot be true. And yet I know not what to think. That Roden is in prison seems an undoubted fact."
"The report goes that he went into Sunbridge last evening, and gave himself up to the police." This from Walter.
"As a murderer," said Marian with a shudder. "Oh, it seems incredible!"
"Incredible, indeed," replied her mother. "If it be really true that he is guilty, the act must have been committed during a fit of mental aberration when he was not responsible for his actions. But we shall learn the truth when your papa returns."
"Is not papa back?"
"Not yet. It is quite fifteen miles to Dunford, where Colonel Winslow was to catch the Scotch express. But he cannot be long now."
"How would it be," said Walter, "if I were to have the bay mare saddled and ride down the Dunford road and meet Mr. Drelincourt on his way back? I could then tell him all about the rumor, after which he might perhaps prefer to drive direct into Sunbridge and find out the particulars for himself before coming home."