Ellsworthy know that she would be late for her dinner-party. He found
that good lady sitting by her writing-table with very flushed cheeks
and tearful eyes, and Hannah standing in quite a familiar attitude by
her side.
"Give this note to Mr. Ellsworthy when he comes in, Henry, and order
the carriage to be brought round directly. I am not going to dine out
to-night. I will just go upstairs to change my bonnet. And Henry, take
Mrs. Martin down to the servants' hall, and give her some dinner. She
is coming out with me in the carriage, so be quick, please."
As Mrs. Ellsworthy stood before her glass re-arranging her toilet her
maid saw her wiping some tears from her pretty eyes.
"Oh, my bonny Arthur," she said under her breath. "Oh, what your poor,
poor mother must have suffered."
When the carriage came to the door Mrs. Ellsworthy gave the coachman
Noel's address, and the two women drove there at once. They were
fortunate in finding the young man within. He too was engaged to dine
out that night, but he did not go. Hannah, Mrs. Ellsworthy, and he had
a long conference, which lasted until late in the evening, and when
Mr. Ellsworthy joined them he was told a very wonderful story.
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