In the course of the evening, desolated by the ugly responsibility that had been thrust upon him, Braden put aside his scruples, his antipathy, and sent word to Anne that he would like to discuss the new situation with her.

She had not appeared for dinner, which was a doleful affair; she did not even favour him with an apology for not coming down.

Distasteful as the interview promised to be for him, he realised that it should not be postponed.

His grandfather's wife would have to be consulted.

It was her right to decide who should attend the sick man.