Arabella

Not for three days did any news of the disasters which had overtaken Bertram reach his sister.

She had written to beg him to meet by the Bath Gate in the Green Park, and had sent the letter by the Penny Post. When he neither appeared at the rendezvous nor replied to her letter, she began to be seriously alarmed and was trying to think of a way of visiting the Red Lion without her godmother’s knowledge when Mr Scunthorpe sent up his card, at three o’clock one afternoon.

She desired the butler to show him into the drawing-room, and went down immediately from her bed-chamber to receive him.

It did not at once strike her that he was looking preternaturally solemn; she was too eager to learn tidings of Bertram, and went impetuously towards him with her hand held out, exclaiming: ‘I am so very glad you have called to see me, sir! I have been so much worried about my brother! Have you news of him? Oh, do not tell me he is ill?’