Mrs. Woolstan, he knew not why, caused him uneasiness; a vague
prevision of ill was upon him as he read.

He had intended passing the day at Alverholme, and, on the morrow,
travelling to Hollingford. Now he felt no inclination to hazard a
call upon Lady Ogram; he would return to London forthwith.

"No bad news, I hope?" said his father, when this purpose was
announced.

"Mrs. Woolstan wants me back sooner than I expected, that's all."

His mother's lips curled disdainfully. To be at the beck and call of
a Mrs. Woolstan, seemed to her an ignoble thing. However, she had
learnt the tenor of Dyce's discourse of the evening before, and
tried once more to see a radiance in his future.





CHAPTER III




Hair the hue of an autumn elm-leaf; eyes green or blue, as the light
fell upon them; a long, thin face, faintly freckled over its creamy
pallor, with narrow arch of eyebrow, indifferent nose, childlike
lips and a small, pointed chin;--thus may one suggest the portrait