Carry that to Tom ere it cools." It was his object to procure the servant's absence when Lionel should arrive, resolved as he was to greet him with a sound rating for his folly.

Reflection had brought him the assurance that this was become his duty in view of his projected absence from Penarrow; and in his brother's interest he was determined not to spare him.
He took a deep draught of the posset, and as he set it down he heard Lionel's step without.

Then the door was flung open, and his brother stood on the threshold a moment at gaze.
Sir Oliver looked round with a scowl, the well-considered reproof already on his lips.
"So...." he began, and got no further.

The sight that met his eyes drove the ready words from his lips and mind; instead it was with a sharp gasp of dismay that he came immediately to his feet.

"Lionel!" Lionel lurched in, closed the door, and shot home one of its bolts.