a shifting study. Incredulity, wonder, fury, all swept across it, and
then in a single second it seemed to freeze. Next moment he spoke with
overpowering politeness.

"So, madam; then I have to congratulate myself on the possession of a
very lovely daughter-in-law."

A silence ensued that they were both too moved to break; at last, the
old man said, in an altered tone:

"We have much to talk of, and you must be tired. Take off your cloak,
and eat whilst I think."

She obeyed him, and he saw that not only was she his son's wife, but
that she must before long present the world with an heir to the name
of Caresfoot. This made him think the more; but meanwhile he continued
to attend to her wants. She ate little, but calmly.

"That woman has nerve," said he to himself.

Then he rang the bell, and bade Simmons wait till he had written a
note.

"Send James to Roxham at once with this. Take this lady's things off
the fly, and put them in the red bedroom. By the way, I am at home to
nobody except Mr. Bellamy;" and then, turning to Hilda, "Now, if you
will come into my study, we will continue our chat," and he offered
her his arm. "Here we are secure from interruption," he said, with a
ghost of a smile. "Take this chair. Now, forgive my impertinence, but
I must ask you if I am to understand that you are my son's _legal_