with which she usually moved from one
room to the other, and by which, as they fell at every step, her course
could always be tracked. "He'll tell you," added she, moving away.
"I think it was caviare, and you are to telegraph for it to Swan and
Edgar's--but my head is confused to-day; I'll just go and lie down."

As Mrs. Maxwell left by one door, Alice passed out by another; while
Mark, whose temper evinced itself in a flushed cheek and a contracted
brow, stood at a window, fretfully tapping the ground with his foot.

"Have you any orders, sir?" asked Raikes.

"Orders! No--stay a moment Have many gone away this morning?"

"Nearly all, sir. Except your family and Mr. Maitland, there's nobody
left but Major Clough, and he 's going, I believe, with Dr. Reede."

"You 've heard nothing of Mr. Maitland going, have you?"

"Oh, yes, sir! his man sent for post-horses about an hour ago."

Muttering impatiently below his breath, Mark opened the window and
passed out upon the lawn. What an unlucky turn had everything taken! It
was but a week ago, and his friend Maitland was in high delight with
all around him. The country, the scenery, the people were all charming;
indeed, in the intervals between the showers, he had a good word to say
for the climate. As for Lyle Abbey, he pronounced it the perfection of
a country-house; and Mark actually speculated on the time when these
opinions of his distinguished friend would have acquired a certain
currency, and the judgment of one that none disputed would be recorded
of his father's house. And all these successes were now to be reversed
by this stupid old sailor's folly,--insanity he might call it; for what
other word could characterize the pretension that could claim Norman
Maitland for a son-in-law?--Maitland, that might have married, if the
law would have let him, half a score of infantas and archduchesses, and
who had but to choose throughout Europe the alliance that would suit
him. And Alice--what could Alice mean by this impertinent tone she was
taking towards him? Had the great man's patience given way under it all,
and was he really going away, wearied and tired out?

While Mark thus doubted and reasoned and questioned, Maitland was seated
at his breakfast at one side of the fire, while Dr. Reede confronted him
at the other.

Though Maitland had sent a message to say he wished to see the doctor,
he only gave him now a divided attention, being deeply engaged, even
as he tal