Richard wrote from an hotel in the neighbourhood, asking her to come to him.

She found him in a private sitting-room, taking a meal.
'Why didn't you come to the house ?' she asked.

'You knew mother never comes down-stairs.' Richard looked at her with lowered brows.
'You mean to say she's doing that in earnest ?' 'That she is She comes down early in the morning and gets all the food she wants for the day.

I heard her cooking something in a frying-pan to-day.

She hasn't been out of the house yet.' 'Does she know about Jane ?' 'No.