Yule was out, and there was no likelihood of the visitor's wishing to see anyone but him.

They listened; the servant went to the door, and, after a murmur of voices, came to speak to her mistress.
'It's a gentleman called Mr Milvain,' the girl reported, in a way that proved how seldom callers presented themselves.

'He asked for Mr Yule, and when I said he was out, then he asked for Miss Yule.' Mother and daughter looked anxiously at each other.

Mrs Yule was nervous and helpless.
'Show Mr Milvain into the study,' said Marian, with sudden decision.
'Are you going to see him there ?' asked her mother in a hurried whisper.
'I thought you would prefer that to his coming in here.' 'Yes--yes.

But suppose father comes back before he's gone ?' 'What will it matter?
You forget that he asked for father first.' 'Oh yes! Then don't wait.' Marian, scarcely less agitated than her mother, was just leaving the room, when she turned back again.
'If father comes in, you will tell him before he goes into the study ?' 'Yes, I will.' The fire in the study was on the point of extinction; this was the first thing Marian's eye perceived on entering, and it gave her assurance that her father would not be back for some hours.