I shall ask for some special coaching to-morrow morning.

May I engage you--ten o'clock ?" Marcella made some evasive answer, and they all sauntered back to the drawing-room.
"Shall you be at work to-morrow, Raeburn ?" said Wharton.
"Probably," said Aldous drily.

Marcella, struck by the tone, looked back, and caught an expression and bearing which were as yet new to her in the speaker.

She supposed they represented the haughtiness natural in the man of birth and power towards the intruder, who is also the opponent.
Instantly the combative critical mood returned upon her, and the impulse to assert herself by protecting Wharton.

His manner throughout the talk in the drawing-room had been, she declared to herself, excellent--modest, and self-restrained, comparing curiously with the boyish egotism and self-abandonment he had shown in their _tete-a-tete_.
* * * * * "Why, there is Mr.Boyce," exclaimed Wharton, hurrying forward as they entered the drawing-room.
There, indeed, on the sofa was the master of the house, more ghastly black and white than ever, and prepared to claim to the utmost the tragic pre-eminence of illness.