He turned. The butler was in the room.

"His lordship, my lady, would like to see Mr. William before dinner if
he could make it convenient."

"Certainly, Hudson, certainly," said the young man. "Tell his lordship
I'll be with him in ten minutes."

Then, as the butler departed--"How's father, mother?"

"Oh! much as usual," said Lady Tranmore, sadly.

"And you?"

He laid his arm boyishly round her waist, and looked up at her, his
handsome face all affection and life. Mary Lyster, observing them,
thought them a remarkable pair--he in the very prime and heyday of
brilliant youth, she so beautiful still, in spite of the filling-out of
middle life--which, indeed, was at the moment somewhat toned and
disguised by the deep mourning, the sweeping crape and dull silk in
which she was dressed.

"I'm all right, dear," she said, quietly, putting her hand on his
shoulder. "Now, go on with your tea. Mary--feed him! I'll go and talk to
father till you come."

She disappeared, and William Ashe approached his cousin.

"She _is_ better?" he said, with an anxiety that became him.