The prosperity of Silverdale had been dear to her, but she knew she must let something that was dearer still slip away from her, or, since they must come from her, trample on her pride as she made the first advances.

It seemed a very long while before there was a knocking at the outer door, and she rose with a little quiver when light steps came up the stairway.
In the meanwhile two men stood beside the stove in the hall until an English maid returned to them.
"Colonel Barrington is away, but Miss Barrington, and Miss Maud are at home," she said.

"Will you go forward into the morning-room when you have taken off your furs ?" "Did you know Barrington was not here ?" asked Winston, when the maid moved away.
Dane appeared embarrassed.

"The fact is, I did." "Then," said Winston dryly, "I am a little astonished you did not think fit to tell me." Dane's face flushed, but he laid his hand on his comrade's arm.

"No," he said, "I didn't.