Anne returned to her room, sustained by the first sense of relief which she had felt since the morning. “His mother is alarmed,” she said to herself. “A change will come.”
A change was to come—with the coming night.
CHAPTER THE FIFTY-FIRST.
THE PROPOSAL.
TOWARD sunset, Lady Holchester’s carriage drew up before the gate of the cottage.
Three persons occupied the carriage: Lady Holchester, her eldest son (now Lord Holchester), and Sir Patrick Lundie.
“Will you wait in the carriage, Sir Patrick?” said Julius. “Or will you come in?”
“I will wait. If I can be of the least use to her,, send for me instantly. In the mean time don’t forget to make the stipulation which I have suggested. It is the one certain way of putting your brother’s real feeling in this matter to the test.”
The servant had rung the bell without producing any result. He rang again. Lady Holchester put a question to Sir Patrick.