The dread of this disaster was in full possession of her when the maid returned.
"Where is Mr.Holmcroft ?" she asked, the moment the woman entered the room.
"I saw him open the library door, my lady, just now, on my way upstairs." "Was he alone ?" "Yes, my lady." "Go to him, and say I want to see him here immediately." The maid withdrew on her second errand.

Lady Janet rose restlessly, and closed the open window.

Her impatient desire to make sure of Horace so completely mastered her that she left her room, and met the woman in the corridor on her return.

Receiving Horace's message of excuse, she instantly sent back the peremptory rejoinder, "Say that he will oblige me to go to him, if he persists in refusing to come to me.

And, stay!" she added, remembering the undelivered letter.