I have been speaking to Dr. Randolph to-day, and he
thinks the vicar ought to come back." Then she stopped as Dinah came
hurriedly into the room. Malcolm's unexpected visit had evidently
alarmed her.
"Oh, Mr. Herrick, what is it?" she said in such a troubled voice
that Malcolm felt almost afraid to tell his news. Evidently
Elizabeth read his thoughts.
"You must tell us everything," she said rather abruptly; "it will be
wrong to keep anything back." And thus admonished, Malcolm began his
long story--his summons to the Manor House, and Hugh Rossiter's
revelation concerning the Jacobi family. The sisters listened in
breathless silence, only when Malcolm mentioned the words billiard-
marker and valet Elizabeth uttered a quick exclamation, and threw up
her head with a proud gesture, while poor Dinah grew white when she
heard that her boy was actually engaged. "It is impossible--there
must be some mistake," she whispered, as though to herself--"our
dear boy would never keep such a thing from his sisters. Cedric is
so frank and open, he would never have secrets from us.
Pages:
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453