Dinah ventured to cast a lightning-glance at Scott to see how he took the information and was conscious of an instant’s shock.  He looked so grey, so ill, like a man who had received a deadly wound.

But the impression passed in a flash as she felt his hand close upon hers.

“My dear,” he said simply, “I’m awfully pleased.”

The warm grasp did her good.  It brought her swiftly back to a normal state of mind.  She drew a hard breath and met his eyes, reassuring herself in a moment with the conviction that after all he looked quite as usual.  Somehow her imagination had tricked her.  His kindly smile seemed to make everything right.

“Oh, it is kind of you not to mind,” she said impulsively.

Whereat Sir Eustace laughed.  “He is rather magnanimous, isn’t he?  Well, come along and tell Isabel!”

Scott’s eyes came swiftly to him.  He released Dinah, and offered his hand to his brother.  “Let me congratulate you, old chap!” he said, his voice rather low.  “I hope you will both have—­all happiness.”

“Thanks!” said Eustace.  He took the hand, looking at the younger man with keen, hawk-eyes.  “We mean to make a bid for it anyway.  Dinah is lucky in one thing at least.  She will have an ideal brother-in-law.”

The words were carelessly spoken, but they were not without meaning.  Scott flushed slightly; even while for an instant he smiled.  “I shall do my best in that capacity,” he said.  “But before you go in, I want you to wait a moment.  Isabel has had a slight fainting attack.  We mustn’t take her by surprise.”

“A fainting attack!” Sharply Eustace echoed the words.  “How did it happen?” he demanded.

Scott raised his shoulders.  “We were talking together.  I can’t tell you exactly what caused it.  It came rather suddenly.  Biddy and I brought her round almost immediately, and she declares that she will make the journey.  She did not wish me to tell you of it, but I thought it better.”

“Of coarse.”  Sir Eustace’s voice was short and stern; his face wore a heavy frown.  “But something must have caused it.  What were you talking about?”

Scott hesitated for a second.  “I can’t tell you that, old fellow,” he said then.

Eustace uttered a brief laugh.  “Too personal, eh?  Well, how did it happen?  Did she suddenly lose consciousness?”

“She suddenly gasped, and said her heart had stopped.  She fell across the table.  I called to Biddy, and we lifted her and gave her brandy.  That brought her to very quickly.  I left her lying down in her room.  But she says she feels much better, and she is very set upon leaving the arrangements for the journey unaltered.”

Scott spoke rather wearily.  Dinah’s heart went out to him in swift sympathy which she did not know how to express.

“May I—­could I—­go to her?” she suggested, after a moment timidly.

Scott turned to her instantly.  “Please do!  I know she would like to see you.  We ought to be starting in another quarter of an hour.  The sleigh will be here directly.”