While he waited his sister looked out upon him from an upper casement, having caught sight of him as she came from Paula in the telegraph-room.
'Well, Lottie, what news this morning ?' he said gaily.
'Nothing of importance.

We are quite well.'....

She added with hesitation, 'There is one piece of news; Mr.Havill--but perhaps you have heard it in Markton ?' 'Nothing.' 'Mr.Havill has resigned his appointment as architect to the castle.' 'What ?--who has it, then ?' 'Mr.Somerset.' 'Appointed ?' 'Yes--by telegraph.' 'When is he coming ?' said De Stancy in consternation.
'About the tenth, we think.' Charlotte was concerned to see her brother's face, and withdrew from the window that he might not question her further.

De Stancy went into the hall, and on to the gallery, where Dare was standing as still as a caryatid.
'I have heard every word,' said Dare.
'Well, what does it mean?
Has that fool Havill done it on purpose to annoy me?
What conceivable reason can the man have for throwing up an appointment he has worked so hard for, at the moment he has got it, and in the time of his greatest need ?' Dare guessed, for he had seen a little way into Havill's soul during the brief period of their confederacy.

But he was very far from saying what he guessed.