Elizabeth's thoughts would be occupied with the preparations at the cottage.

He knew her so well: she never did things by halves, and she would be at Rotherwood all day long.

No, he would not go yet, he said to himself; it would be time enough when Cedric came back, and then he would go down to the Wood House as a matter of course.

It cost Malcolm some effort to keep this resolution when Cedric deferred his return week after week.

When the New Year opened he was at Cairo, and having "a rattling good time," as he expressed it.