Rachel had recovered herself, and she watched the children and their father with a pain at her heart, which was worse than the faintness.
She had been unable to believe that if Lord Newhaven had drawn the short lighter he would remain quietly here over the dreadful morrow, under the same roof as Teddy and Pauly.

Oh, surely nothing horrible could happen so near them! Yet he seemed to have no intention of leaving Westhope.
Then, perhaps, he had not drawn the short lighter, after all.

At the moment when suspense, momentarily lulled, was once more rising hideous, colossal, he casually mentioned that he was leaving by the night train.
The reason was obvious.

The shock of relief almost stunned her.
"He will do it quietly to-morrow away from home," she said to herself, watching him with miserable eyes, as he divided the cherries equally between the boys.

She had dreaded going up-stairs to Lady Newhaven, but anything was better than remaining in the dining-room.