"I will get up at once, Merat, and do you look out a train, or ask
the butler to look out one for you; we are going to Glasgow by the
first quick train."
"But I thought Mademoiselle was going to stay here till Monday."
"Yes, Merat, I know, so did I; but I have changed my mind. You had
better begin to pack at once, for there is certain to be a train
about twelve."
Evelyn saw that the devoted Merat was annoyed; as well she might be,
for Thornton Grange was a pleasant house for valets and lady's
maids. "Some new valet," Evelyn thought, and she was sorry to drag
Merat away from him, for Merat's sins were her own--no one was
answerable for another; there was always that in her mind; and what
applied to her did not apply to anybody else.
"Dear Lady Ascott, you'll forgive me?" she said during breakfast,
"but I have to go to Glasgow this afternoon. I am obliged to leave
by an early train."
"Sir Owen, will you try to persuade her? Get her some omelette, and I
will pour out some coffee. Which will you have, dear? Tea or coffee?
Everybody will be so disappointed; we have all been looking forward
to some singing to-night."
Expostulations and suggestions went round the table, and Evelyn was
glad when breakfast was over; and to escape from all this company,
she accepted Owen's proposal to go for a walk.
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