Courtier.
If he, who knew them both, and was so fond of Mrs. Noel, would talk to
Miltoun, about the right to be happy, the right to revolt? Eustace ought
to revolt! It was his duty. She sat down to write; then, putting on her
hat, took the note and slipped downstairs.

CHAPTER XIX

The flowers of summer in the great glass house at Ravensham were keeping
the last afternoon-watch when Clifton summoned Lady Casterley with the
words:

"Lady Valleys in the white room."

Since the news of Miltoun's illness, and of Mrs. Noel's nursing, the
little old lady had possessed her soul in patience; often, it is true,
afflicted with poignant misgivings as to this new influence in the
life of her favourite, affected too by a sort of jealousy, not to
be admitted, even in her prayers, which, though regular enough, were
perhaps somewhat formal. Having small liking now for leaving home, even
for Catton, her country place, she was still at Ravensham, where Lord
Dennis had come up to stay with her as soon as Miltoun had left Sea
House. But Lady Casterley was never very dependent on company. She
retained unimpaired her intense interest in politics, and still
corresponded freely with prominent men. Of late, too, a slight
revival of the June war scare had made its mark on her in a certain
rejuvenescence, which always accompanied her contemplation of national
crises, even when such were a little in the air. At blast of trumpet
her spirit still leaped forward, unsheathed its sword, and stood at the
salute. At such times, she rose earlier, went to bed later, was far
less susceptible to draughts, and refused with asperity any food between
meals. She wrote too with her own hand letters which she would otherwise
have dictated to her secretary. Unfortunately the scare had died down
again almost at once; and the passing of danger always left her rather
irritable. Lady Valleys' visit came as a timely consolation.

She kissed her daughter critically; for there was that about her manner
which she did not like.

"Yes, of course I am well!" she said. "Why didn't you bring Barbara?"

"She was tired!"

"H'm! Afraid of meeting me, since she committed that piece of folly over
Eustace. You must be careful of that child, Gertrude, or she will be
doing something silly herself. I don't like the way she keeps Claud
Harbinger hanging in the wind."

Her daughter cut her short:

"There is bad news about Eustace."

Lady Casterley lost the little col