f he had noticed her eyes were red.
You know how easily Gage cries.'

'Did you tell her this in your letter?'

'I think I implied it, but I am not sure.'

'Ah, well, we must wait until to-morrow,' with a sigh; 'but I cannot
deny I am very anxious. You will go up to Hillside directly after
breakfast, will you not, my dear? And do beg Geraldine to come back with
you. I feel I shall not have a moment's peace until I have seen her.'

'Poor dear mother!' observed Audrey caressingly; for there was a look of
care on Mrs. Ross's brow.

But though Audrey cheered up her mother, and made her little jokes, she
was quite aware of the ordeal that was before her, and it was with some
undefined idea of propitiating her sister that she laid aside the red
cashmere the next morning and put on a certain gray gown which Gage
especially admired. It had a hat to match, with a gray wing, and
Geraldine always looked at her approvingly when she came to Hillside in
the gray gown. She was on the terrace, picking two or three yellow
chrysanthemums, when she saw her brother-in-law coming towards her. A
visit from him at this hour was a most unusual proceeding, and Audrey at
once guessed that his business was with her. The idea of any
interference from her brother-in-law was decidedly unpalatable;
nevertheless, she awaited him smilingly. Mr. Harcourt was a man who
walked well. He had a fine carriage of the head, though some people said
he held himself a little too erect, and too much with the air of a man
who recognises his own superiority; but, as Audrey watched him as he
walked up the terrace, she thought he had never held his head so proudly
before.

'You are a very early visitor this morning, Percival,' she observed, as
she arranged the chrysanthemums in her gray dress; and she looked up at
him pleasantly as she shook hands with him.

But there was no answering smile on Mr. Harcourt's face.

'It is a very unusual business that brings me,' he replied rather
solemnly. 'Is there anyone in the drawing-room, Audrey? I should like to
speak to you quietly.'

'Susan is in there, dusting the ornaments, but I can easily send her
away,' rejoined Audrey cheerfully. 'Mother is in the study.' And then
she led the way to the drawing-room, and gave Susan a hint to withdraw.

Mr. Harcourt waited until the door was shut, then he put down his hat
and faced round on his sister-in-law.

'This is a very sad business,' he said, still with the same portento