The first person he asked on entering the village directed him to the house where Matthew Hollington lived.
The Marquis drew up his team with a flourish just after four o’clock.
He handed the reins to his groom and, jumping down, walked up to the front door.
It was open and without ringing the bell the Marquis walked inside.
There was a door at the end of the hall, which was open and he could see that there was nobody inside.
As if his instinct was guiding him, he walked down a passage and opened a door at the end of it.
He saw as he entered that the walls were lined with books.
He felt that this was the most likely place where he would find Ursa.
He was not mistaken, although at first glance the room was empty.
Then he saw her.
She was lying on a sofa, her head on a cushion, fas
