“Yes, you may be sure she won't leave her, sir,” replied Rose. “Your message shall be delivered to your sister, and your instructions attended to.”
As soon as Rose was gone, Norris could no longer contain himself.
“Here we have it as plain as possible, sir,” he cried. “The sole bar to the marriage is to be removed. Don't you see it, sir? I do, plainly enough. How else should she fall suddenly ill just at this time?”
“Whatever you may think, Norris; and however difficult you may find it to do so, I insist upon it that you hold your tongue,” said Chetwynd, authoritatively. “If you disobey me, you'll ever afterwards lose my favour. Now go and send for Doctor Spencer at once, and leave the rest to me.”
“Don't fear me, sir,” said Norris. “I'll keep silence as long as you enjoin me.”
And he proceeded to the stables, and sent off a mounted groom for Doctor Spencer.
XVI. CHETWYND MAKES COMMUNICATION TO SIR BRIDGNORTH.
Chetwynd was pacing to and fro on the lawn, occupied with painful and distracting thoughts, and scarcely knowing what course to pursue, when he was joined by Sir Bridgnorth Charlton, who saw he was greatly disturbed, and kindly inquired what was the matter.