Pale, exhausted, yet showing in every movement the nervous excitement which was driving her on--his heart sank as he looked at her--foreseeing what was to come.
As soon as the main street had been left behind, he put his head out of the window, and gave the coachman, who had been told to go to Mellor, the new order.
"Will you mind if I don't talk ?" said Marcella, when he was again beside her.

"I think I am tired out, but I might rest now a little.

When we get to the Court, will you ask Miss Raeburn to let me have some food in her sitting-room?
Then, at nine o'clock or so, may I come down and see Lord Maxwell and you--together ?" What she said, and the manner in which she said it, could only add to his uneasiness; but he assented, put a cushion behind her, wrapped the rugs round her, and then sat silent, train after train of close and anxious thought passing through his mind as they rolled along the dark roads.
When they arrived at Maxwell Court, the sound of the carriage brought Lord Maxwell and Miss Raeburn at once into the hall.
Aldous went forward in front of Marcella.

"I have brought Marcella," he said hastily to his aunt.

"Will you take her upstairs to your sitting-room, and let her have some food and rest?
She is not fit for the exertion of dinner, but she wishes to speak to my grandfather afterwards." Lord Maxwell had already hurried to meet the black-veiled figure standing proudly in the dim light of the outer hall.
"My dear! my dear!" he said, drawing her arm within his, and patting her hand in fatherly fashion.