"Mr.Alton has evidently met with a serious accident, and we are going up at once to Somasco to see what we can do for him." Deringham moved a trifle and glanced at his daughter.

She had said very little, but there was a subtle something in her tone and bearing which implied a good deal, and he fancied it was not lost upon Miss Townshead.
The latter, however, glanced round towards her employer, and her face was once more expressionless as she said, "Then I hope you will find him progressing favourably, and it would be a kindness to my father and myself if you or Mr.Seaforth would send us word." She went back to her duties, and Deringham smiled a little as the monotonous voice commenced again.

"That's all right, Miss Townshead.
Now where was I?
Oh, yes, we should not recommend any further advances.

Did I tell him we had to negotiate Tyrer's bond at a discount ?" "You seem to have reversed your decision somewhat suddenly," he said.
"I had not noticed it before, but Miss Townshead is distinctly pretty.
She was, I believe, on tolerably good terms with our afflicted kinsman." Miss Deringham laughed as she answered him.

"That is one of our privileges, but you had better inquire about my baggage.