Geoffrey’s heavy footsteps crossed the dining-room. There was no time to explain. Anne whispered back,
“Tell my friends what I have told you.”
Geoffrey appeared at the dining-room door.
“Name one of your friends,” said Lady Holchester.
“Sir Patrick Lundie.”
Geoffrey heard the answer. “What about Sir Patrick Lundie?” he asked.
“I wish to see Sir Patrick Lundie,” said his mother. “And your wife can tell me where to find him.”
Anne instantly understood that Lady Holchester would communicate with Sir Patrick. She mentioned his London address. Lady Holchester turned to leave the cottage. Her son stopped her.
“Let’s set things straight,” he said, “before you go. My mother,” he went on, addressing himself to Anne, “don’t think there’s much chance for us two of living comfortably together. Bear witness to the truth—will you? What did I tell you at breakfast-time? Didn’t I say it should be my endeavor to make you a good husband? Didn’t I say—in Mrs. Dethridge’s presence—I wanted to make it up?” He waited until Anne had answered in the affirmative, and then appealed to his mother. “Well? what do you think now?”
Lady Holchester declined to reveal what she thought. “You shall see me, or hear from me, this evening,” she said to Anne. Geoffrey attempted to repeat his unanswered question. His mother looked at him. His eyes instantly dropped before hers. She gravely bent her head to Anne, and drew her veil. Her son followed her out in silence to the gate.