Halfway down the great staircase she perceived her husband, and flew to meet him.

“Richard, I was coming in search of you! Tracy has invited me to Andover for a week⁠—he purposes to ask several people to stay, and there will be parties⁠—and entertainment! You will let me go? Say yes, Dicky⁠—say yes, quickly!”

Carstares bowed to his Grace, who stood watching them from the stairs. The bow was returned with exaggerated flourish. Carstares looked down at his wife.

“So soon, Lavinia?” he remonstrated, and indicated her mourning. She shook his hand off impatiently.

“Oh, Dicky, does it matter? What can it signify? I do not ask you to come⁠—”

“No,” he said half-sadly, half-amusedly. “I notice that, my dear.”