CHAPTER XXII: THE BARONIAL COURT
'Still in his eyes his soul revealing,
He dreams not, knows not of concealing,
Does all he does with single mind,
And thinks of others that are kind.'
The travellers were expected to arrive at about seven o'clock in the
evening, and in accordance with a well-known taste of Eleanor's,
Emily had ordered no dinner, but a substantial meal under the name of
tea. When the sound of carriage wheels was heard, Jane was with
Adeline, Maurice was in his retreat at the Old Court, and it was with
no cheerful alacrity that Emily went alone into the hall. Phyllis
was already at the front door, and the instant Mr. Mohun set foot on
the threshold, her hand grasped his coat, and her shrill voice cried
in his ear, 'Papa, I am very sorry I blew up the gunpowder and burnt
Ada.'
'What, my dear? where is Ada?'
'In bed. I blew up the gunpowder and burnt her face,' repeated
Phyllis.
'We have had an accident,' said Emily, 'but I hope it is nothing very
serious, only poor Ada is a sad figure.'
In another moment Mr. Mohun and Eleanor were on the way to the
nursery; Lilias was following, but she recollected that a general
rush into a sickroom was not desirable, and therefore paused and came
back to the hall.
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