Very seldom was Forrester taken by surprise, but this time his reply was
not ready. There was an embarrassing pause, broken by a _Deus ex
machinâ_,--the butler announcing that Mr. Bruce had arrived, and was in
the drawing-room.




CHAPTER XI.

"And now thou knowest thy father's will,
All that thy sex hath need to know:
'Twas mine to teach obedience still--
The way to love thy lord may show."


From that dark distant corner I heard a sigh, ending in a nervous
catching of the breath, and then a muttered word unpleasantly like an
oath, as Forrester sprang to his feet.

Livingstone rose slowly.

"I'll go and receive him. Let Mr. Raymond know, Wise. I suppose he will
not care to see any one else before dressing-time; it must be near that
now."

As he passed his cousin, he whispered something inaudible to us; and I
saw his heavy hand fall on Charley's shoulder, crushing him down again
like a child.