What was he to do?
was he to tell Katie?
or was he to pretend that all was right, that no special business had brought him unexpectedly to Hampton?
'Oh, Harry, Linda will be so unhappy,' said Katie as soon as she saw him.

'They have gone to dine at Sunbury, and they won't be home till ten or eleven.

Uncle Bat dined early with me, and he has gone to Hampton Court.

Linda will be so unhappy.

But, good gracious, Harry, is there anything the matter ?' 'Mrs.Woodward has not heard from Gertrude to-day, has she ?' 'No--not a word--Gertrude is not ill, is she?
Oh, do tell me,' said Katie, who now knew that there was some misfortune to be told.
'No; Gertrude is not ill.' 'Is Alaric ill, then?
Is there anything the matter with Alaric ?' 'He is not ill,' said Norman,' but he is in some trouble.