The sound must have drawn attention, for very soon there came a knock at the door, and the servant inquired of him whether he would have tea, as usual, in his room, or join the ladies below.
"Bring it here, please," he replied.

"And--yes, tell Mrs.Hannaford that I shall not come down to dinner--you can bring me anything you like--just a mouthful of something." Now there went, obscurely, no less than three reasons to the quick shaping of this decision.

In the first place, Piers had glanced over his father's letter, and saw in it matter for long reflection.
Secondly, his headache was declared, and he would be better alone for the evening.

Thirdly, he shrank from meeting Miss Derwent.

And this last was the predominant motive.