Pike then returned the pistol to his pocket and took his way back to Calne in a thoughtful and particularly ungenial mood.

There was a doubt within him whether the boy had disclosed the truth, even to him.
Perhaps on no one--with the exception of Percival--did the death of Lord Hartledon leave its effects as it did on Lady Kirton and her daughter Maude.

To the one it brought embarrassment; to the other, what seemed very like a broken heart.

The countess-dowager's tactics must change as by magic.

She had to transfer the affection and consideration evinced for Edward Lord Hartledon to his brother; and to do it easily and naturally.
She had to obliterate from the mind of the latter her overbearing dislike to him, cause her insults to be remembered no more.