"Where's her ladyship ?" A shudder seemed to run through the assembled men.

There was a moment's silence.

Then old Dimsdale, the butler, who was standing in the doorway that led to the servants' quarters, stumped forward and made reply.
"The animal's come home alone, Sir Giles." "What ?" thundered his master.
The old man faced him with respectful firmness.

No one had ever seen Dimsdale agitated.
"As I said, Sir Giles," he answered, with a certain deferential obstinacy.

"The animal's come back alone." "Only just come in, sir," chimed in a groom.