In one respect he had no inducement to
return; for the Ashtons, including Anne, were on a visit in Wales. They
were at home now, as he knew well; and perhaps that had brought him down.
He went in unannounced, finding his way to the inner drawing-room. A
large fire blazed in the grate, and Lady Maude sat by it so intent in
thought as not to observe his entrance. She wore a black crepe dress,
with a little white trimming on its low body and sleeves. The firelight
played on her beautiful features; and her eyelashes glistened as if with
tears: she was thinner and paler; he saw it at once. The countess-dowager
kept to Hartledon and showed no intention of moving from it: she and her
daughter had been there alone all these weeks.
"How are you, Maude?"
She looked round and started up, backing from him with a face of alarm.
Ah, was it _instinct_ caused her so to receive him? What, or who, was she
thinking of; holding her hands before her with that face of horror?
"Maude, have I so startled you?"
"Percival! I beg your pardon. I believe I was thinking of--of your
brother, and I really did not know you in the uncertain light. We don't
have the rooms lighted early," she added, with a little laugh.
He took her hands in his. Now that she knew him, and the alarm was over,
she seemed really pleased to see him: the dark eyes were raised to his
with a frank smile.
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