Being a man with his wits about him, it had not failed to occur to his mind that there was a possibility of Lord Hartledon's being arrested in place of himself; but so long as Hartledon kept indoors the danger was averted.
Had Percival Elster seen his brother go out he might have plucked up courage to tell him the state of affairs.
But he did not see him.

Lounging idly--what else had he, a poor prisoner, to do ?--in the sunny society of Maude Kirton and other attractive girls, Mr.Elster was unconscious of the movements of the household in general.
He was in his own room dressing for dinner when the truth burst upon him.
Dr.Ashton was a straightforward; practical man--it has been already stated--who went direct to the point at once in any matters of difficulty.

He arrived at Hartledon a few minutes before the dinner-hour, found Mr.Elster was yet in his dressing-room, and went there to him.
The news, the cool, scornful anger of the Rector, the keen question--"Was he mad ?" burst upon the unhappy Val like a clap of thunder.

He was standing in his shirt-sleeves, ready to go down, all but his coat and waistcoat, his hair-brushes in the uplifted hands.

Hands and brushes had been arrested midway in the shock.