No, mother.'

'She came up the moment luncheon was over to ask if you could go with
her to Beverley, and of course she saw at once that something was amiss.
Your father took her into the study and told her himself. She is very
much upset. That is why I have left you so long.'

'I did not know it was long,' returned Audrey, speaking in the same
tired voice; 'it seems to me only a few minutes since Crauford took away
the tray.'

'It is nearly four o'clock,' replied Mrs. Ross, looking at her
anxiously--could it be her bright, strong girl who was lying there so
prostrate? 'Geraldine has been here nearly two hours. She sent her love
to you, darling, and wanted so much to know if she could see you; but I
shall tell her you are not fit to see anyone.'

'I do not know that,' returned Audrey in a hesitating manner; 'I was
just wishing that I could speak to Michael. If you had not come up, I
think I should have put myself straight and gone downstairs. I think I
may as well see Gage for a moment; it is better to get things over.'

'But, Audrey, I am quite sure it would be wiser for you to keep quiet
to-day; you have had such a terrible strain. Everyone ought to do their
best to spare you.'

'But I do not want to be spared,' returned Audrey, echoing her mother's
sigh; 'so please send Gage to me, and tell her not to stop too long.
Crauford can tell her when tea is ready.' And then Mrs. Ross left her
very reluctantly.

Geraldine's face was suffused with tears as she sat down beside the bed
and took her sister's hand. Audrey shook her head at her.

'Gage, I don't mean to allow this; you and mother are not to make
yourselves miserable on my account.'

'How are we to help it, Audrey?' replied Geraldine with a sob; 'I have
never seen you look so ill in your life, and no wonder--this unhappy
engagement! Oh, what will Percy say when I tell him?'

'He will be very shocked, of course. Everyone will be shocked. Perhaps
both he and you will say it serves me right, because I would not take
your advice and have nothing to do with the Blakes. Gage, I want you to
do me one favour: tell Percival not to talk to me. Give him my love--say
anything you think best--only do not let him speak to me.'

'He shall not, dearest; I will not let him. But all the same, he will
grieve bitterly. He knows how bad it will be for you, and how people
will talk. I have been telling mother that you ought to go away until
things have blown over a little.'