The next three weeks passed for Lord Tancred in continuously growing excitement.

He had much business to see to for the reopening of Wrayth which had been closed for the past two years.

He had decided to let Zara choose her own rooms, and decorate them as she pleased, when she should get there.

But the big state apartments, with their tapestry and pictures, would remain untouched.
It gave him infinite pleasure--the thought of living at his old house once again--and it touched him to see the joy of the village and all the old keepers and gardeners who had been pensioned off! He found himself wondering all sorts of things--if he would have a son some day soon, to inherit it all.

Each wood and broad meadow seemed to take on new interest and significance from this thought.
His home was so very dear to him though he had drilled himself into a seeming indifference.