I'll say a word to
you in the hall.'
And thus she literally hurried him out of the room, leaving me in a state
of amazement and confusion, not able to review my decision--unsatisfied,
but still unable to recall it.
I stood where they had left me, looking after them, I suppose, like a fool.
Lady Knollys returned in a few minutes. If I had been a little cooler I was
shrewd enough to perceive that she had sent poor Doctor Bryerly away upon
his travels, to find board and lodging half-way to Bartram, to remove
him forthwith from my presence, and thus to make my decision--if mine it
was--irrevocable.
'I applaud you, my dear,' said Cousin Knollys, in her turn embracing me
heartily. 'You are a sensible little darling, and have done exactly what
you ought to have done.'
'I hope I have,' I faltered.
'Hope? fiddle! stuff! the thing's as plain as a pikestaff.'
And in came Branston to say that dinner was served.
CHAPTER XXIX
_HOW THE AMBASSADOR FARED_
Lady Knollys, I could plainly see, when we got into the brighter lights at
the dinner table, was herself a good deal excited; she was relieved
and glad, and was garrulous during our meal, and told me all her early
recollections of dear papa.
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