“I came to see my sister, madam,” he replied, haughtily; “and, having had a brief interview with her, I am now about to depart.”
And, with a stiff bow, he quitted the room.
As soon as she could recover her speech, Mrs. Calverley observed to Sir Bridgnorth, “You see with what impracticable material I have to deal. Any friendly overture on my part is always scornfully rejected. Well, Chetwynd must take his own course; and if he suffers for his wilfulness, he has only himself to blame. Do you feel at liberty to tell me what he came about, Mildred?”
“I do not,” she replied.
“You were present at the interview, I suppose, Sir Bridgnorth?”
“Quite unintentionally, madam,” he answered. “And my lips are sealed.”
This incident rather threw a damp upon the pleasure of the day.
Mrs. Calverley looked displeased, and Mildred appeared anxious and thoughtful, so Sir Bridgnorth ordered his carriage.
But before taking his departure, he had a little private conversation with Mildred, and promised to come over again to Ouselcroft on an early day.