4. DECEMBER THE THIRDThe next morning he was in no better spirits. Afternoon came:
his son was alarmed, and managed to draw from him an account of the
conversation with the steward.
'Nonsense; he knows nothing about it,' said Edward vehemently.
'I'll see Miss Aldclyffe myself. Now promise me, father, that
you'll not believe till I come back, and tell you to believe it,
that Miss Aldclyffe will do any such unjust thing.'
Edward started at once for Knapwater House. He strode rapidly
along the high-road, till he reached a wicket where a footpath
allowed of a short cut to the mansion. Here he leant down upon the
bars for a few minutes, meditating as to the best manner of opening
his speech, and surveying the scene before him in that absent mood
which takes cognizance of little thin
