'I am a great deal too ill and cold.
Light a fire in my room, girl, and send Steadman to me'-- this to the footman, who hastened to obey.

'You can send me up a basin of soup presently.

I shall go to bed at once.' He left the room without another word to his wife, who sat by the hearth staring thoughtfully at the cheery wood fire.

Presently she looked up, and saw that the man and maid were going on with their preparations for dinner.
'I do not care about dining alone,' said her ladyship.

'We lunched at Windermere, and I have no appetite.