I hope you'll excuse my not waking you to consult you about it." Rushbrook remained so silent that James, fancying he had not heard him, was about to repeat himself when his master said quickly, "Very well, come for me there when dinner is ready," and entered the passage leading to the room.

James did not follow him, and when Mr.Rushbrook, opening the door, started back with an exclamation, no one but the inmate heard the word that rose to his lips.
For there, seated before the glow of the blazing fire, was Miss Grace Nevil.

She had evidently just arrived, for her mantle was barely loosened around her neck, and upon the fringe of brown hair between her bonnet and her broad, low forehead a few drops of rain still sparkled.
As she lifted her long lashes quickly towards the door, it seemed as if they, too, had caught a little of that moisture.

Rushbrook moved impatiently forward, and then stopped.

Grace rose unhesitatingly to her feet, and met him half-way with frankly outstretched hands.