A sharp cry outside the door interrupted them. The children were only
coming in to dessert now; and Reginald, taking a flying leap down the
stairs, took rather too long a one, and came to grief at the bottom.
Truth to say, the young gentleman, no longer kept down by poor Edward,
was getting high-spirited and venturesome.
"What's that?" asked Anne, as the nurse came in with them, scolding.
"Lord Elster fell down, my lady. He's getting as tiresome as can be. Only
to-day, I caught him astride the kitchen banisters, going to slide down
them."
"Oh, Regy," said his mother, holding up her reproving finger.
The boy laughed, and came forward rubbing his arm, and ashamed of his
tears. Val caught him up and kissed them away, drawing Maude also to his
side.
That letter! The dowager was determined to get it, if there was a
possibility of doing so. A suspicion that she would not be tolerated much
longer in Lady Hartledon's house was upon her, and she knew not where to
go. Kirton had married again; and his new wife had fairly turned her out
more unceremoniously than the late one did. By hook or by crook, she
meant to obtain the guardianship of her granddaughter, because in giving
her Maude, Lord Hartledon would have to allow her an income.
She was a woman to stop at nothing; and upon quitting the dining-room she
betook herself to the library--a large, magnificent room--the pride of
Hartledon.
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