They spoke almost in whispers, and wondered what Fitzpiers would do next.

It was the hope of every one that, finding she did not arrive, he would return again to France; and as for Grace, she was willing to write to him on the most kindly terms if he would only keep away.
The night passed, Grace lying tense and wide awake, and her relatives, in great part, likewise.

When they met the next morning they were pale and anxious, though neither speaking of the subject which occupied all their thoughts.

The day passed as quietly as the previous ones, and she began to think that in the rank caprice of his moods he had abandoned the idea of getting her to join him as quickly as it was formed.

All on a sudden, some person who had just come from Sherton entered the house with the news that Mr.Fitzpiers was on his way home to Hintock.