"In one of his carriages?" said young Thorne, looking up with furious eyes. "No, thank you: I'll walk."
"If you jumped out of that window you wouldn't have to go down his staircase," said Hammond.
"Oh, if you came here to—" began the young man, tugging at a strap.
"I came here to ask you to drive with me in the dog-cart from the Crown. It's no use pulling a strap much past the tightest hole. Come, you are not going to quarrel with me?"
"I'm a fool," said Percival. "I shall feel it all in a minute or two, I suppose. Just now I only feel that everything belongs to the man who has duped me, and every breath I draw is choking me."
"I understand," returned Hammond. "Percival, Mrs. Middleton is coming: I hear her step. For her sake—to-day—Thorne, you will not break her heart?"
The old lady was knocking at the half-open door. "Come in," said Percival in a gentle voice. His portmanteau was strapped, and he rose as she entered. "Come to say good-bye to me, Aunt Harriet? I'm off, you see."
"Oh, Percival, I can't understand it!" she exclaimed. "Horace married—married! And you going away like this! It is like a dream."
"So it seems to me," said the young man.
"And one of those Miss Blakes! Oh dear! what would Godfrey have said? Oh, Percival, he never meant this!" She had her hand to her forehead as she spoke.