observe /how/ instantaneously, her glance fell upon her husband (for
the lady was Mrs. Quest) and her entire expression changed to one of
cold aversion, the light fading out of her face as it does from a
November sky, and leaving it cold and hard.

Mr. Quest, who was a man who saw everything, saw this also, and smiled
bitterly.

"Don't be alarmed, Belle," he said in a low voice; "I have brought Mr.
Cossey with me."

She flushed up to the eyes, a great wave of colour, and her breast
heaved; but before she could answer, Edward Cossey, who had stopped
behind to wipe some mud off his shoes, entered the room, and politely
offered his hand to Mrs. Quest, who took it coldly enough.

"You are an early visitor, Mr. Cossey," she said.

"Yes," said her husband, "but the fault is mine. I have brought Mr.
Cossey over to ask if you can give him a lift up to the Castle this
afternoon. I have to go there to lunch, and have borrowed his
dogcart."

"Oh yes, with pleasure. But why can't the dogcart come back for Mr.
Cossey?"

"Well, you see," put in Edward, "there is a little difficulty; my
groom is ill. But there is really no reason why you should be
bothered. I have no doubt that a man can be found to bring it back."