He will be here by ten.' 'Yes--he promised last night.' She had scarcely done speaking when the prancing of a horse was heard in the ward below, and in a few minutes a servant announced Sir William De Stancy.
De Stancy entered saying, 'I have ridden across for ten minutes, as I said I would do, to know if everything is easy and straightforward for you.

There will be time enough for me to get back and prepare if I start shortly.

Well ?' 'I am ruffled,' said Paula, allowing him to take her hand.
'What is it ?' said her betrothed.
As Paula did not immediately answer Mrs.Goodman beckoned to Charlotte, and they left the room together.
'A man has to be given in charge, or a boy, or a demon,' she replied.

'I was going to do it, but you can do it better than I.He will run away if we don't mind.' 'But, my dear Paula, who is it ?--what has he done ?' 'It is Dare--that young man you see out there against the sky.' She looked from the window sideways towards the new wing, on the roof of which Dare was walking prominently about, after having assisted two of the workmen in putting a red streamer on the tallest scaffold-pole.

'You must send instantly for Mr.Cunningham Haze!' 'My dearest Paula,' repeated De Stancy faintly, his complexion changing to that of a man who had died.
'Please send for Mr.Haze at once,' returned Paula, with graceful firmness.