They were at home now, as he knew well; and perhaps that had brought him down.
He went in unannounced, finding his way to the inner drawing-room.

A large fire blazed in the grate, and Lady Maude sat by it so intent in thought as not to observe his entrance.

She wore a black crepe dress, with a little white trimming on its low body and sleeves.

The firelight played on her beautiful features; and her eyelashes glistened as if with tears: she was thinner and paler; he saw it at once.

The countess-dowager kept to Hartledon and showed no intention of moving from it: she and her daughter had been there alone all these weeks.
"How are you, Maude ?" She looked round and started up, backing from him with a face of alarm.
Ah, was it _instinct_ caused her so to receive him?
What, or who, was she thinking of; holding her hands before her with that face of horror?
"Maude, have I so startled you ?" "Percival! I beg your pardon.