So, after a blissful interlude, as he saw in spite of the joy they found together, his Ethelrida was still slightly nervous of Lady Anningford’s entrance, he got up to say good night, as alas! this would probably be the last chance they would have alone before he left.

“And you will not make me wait too long, my darling,” he implored, “will you?  You see, every moment away from you, will now be wasted.  I do not know how I have borne all these years alone!”

And she promised everything he wished, for Francis Markrute, at forty-six, had far more allurements than an impetuous young lover.  Not a tenderness, a subtlety of flattery and homage, those things so dear to a woman’s heart, were forgotten by him.  He really worshiped Ethelrida and his fashion of showing his feeling was in all ways to think first of what she would wish; which proved that if her attitude were unmodern, as far as women were concerned, his was even more so, among men!

Tristram had gone out for another walk alone, after the Crow had left him.  He wanted to realize the details of the coming week, and settle with himself how best to get through with them.

He and Zara were to start in their own motor at about eleven for Wrayth, which was only forty miles across the border into Suffolk.  They would reach it inside of two hours easily, and arrive at the first triumphal arch of the park before one; and so go on through the shouting villagers to the house, where in the great banqueting hall, which still remained, a relic of Henry IV’s time, joined on to the Norman keep, they would have to assist at a great luncheon to the principal tenants, while the lesser fry feasted in a huge tent in the outer courtyard.

Here, endless speeches would have to be made and listened to, and joy simulated, and a general air of hilarity kept up; and the old housekeeper would have prepared the large rooms in the Adam wing for their reception; and they would not be free to separate, until late at night, for there would be the servants’ and employes’ ball, after a tete-a-tete dinner in state, where their every action would be watched and commented upon by many curious eyes.  Yes, it was a terrible ordeal to go through, under the circumstances; and no wonder he wanted the cold, frosty evening air to brace him up!

At the end of his troubled thoughts he had come to the conclusion that there was only one thing to be done—­he must speak to her to-night, tell her what to expect, and ask her to play her part.  “She is fortunately game, even if cold as stone,” he said to himself, “and if I appeal to her pride, she will help me out.”  So he came back into the house, and went straight up to her room.  He had been through too much suffering and anguish of heart, all night and all day, to be fearful of temptation.  He felt numb, as he knocked at the door and an indifferent voice called out, “Come in!”

He opened it a few inches and said:  “It is I—­Tristram—­I have something I must say to you—­May I come in?—­or would you prefer to come down to one of the sitting-rooms?  I dare say we could find one empty, so as to be alone.”