so that the pair of judges might not be kept waiting for their food.
Felix Graham hurried up stairs, three steps at a time, as though all his future success at Noningsby depended on his being down in the drawing-room within the period of minutes stipulated by the judge. As he dressed himself with the utmost rapidity, thinking perhaps not so much as he should have done of his appearance in the eyes of his lady-love, he endeavoured to come to some resolve as to the task which was before him. How was he to find an opportunity of speaking his mind to Madeline, if, during the short period of his sojourn at Noningsby, he left the house every morning directly after breakfast, and returned to it in the evening only just in time for dinner?
When he entered the drawing-room both the judges were there, as was also Lady Staveley and Madeline. Augustus alone was wanting. 'Ring the bell, Graham,' the judge said, as Felix took his place on the corner of the rug. 'Augustus will be down about supper-time.' And then the bell was rung and the dinner ordered.
'Papa ought to remember,' said Madeline, 'that he got his carriage first at Alston.'
'I heard the wheels of the gig,' said the judge. 'They were just two minutes after us.'
'I don't think Augustus takes longer than other young men,' said Lady Staveley.
'Look at Graham there. He can't be supposed to have the use of all his limbs, for he broke half a dozen of them a month ago; and yet he's ready. Brother Maltby, give your arm to Lady Staveley. Graham, if you'll take Madeline, I'll follow alone.' He did not call her Miss Staveley, as Felix specially remarked, and so remarking, pressed the little hand somewhat closer to his side. It was the first sign of love he had ever given her, and he feared that some mark of anger might follow it. There was no return to his pressure;—not the slightest answer was made with those sweet finger points; but there was no anger. 'Is your arm quite strong again?' she asked him as they sat down, as soon as the judge's short grace had been uttered.
'Fifteen minutes to the second,' said Augustus, bustling into the room, 'and I think that an unfair advantage has been taken of me. But what can a juvenile barrister expect in the presence of two judges?' And then the dinner went on, and a very pleasant little dinner-party it was.
Not a word was said, either then or during the evening, or on the following morning, on that subject which was engrossing so much of the mind of all of them. Not a word was spoken as to that trial which was now pending, nor was the name of Lady Mason mentioned. It was understood even by Madeline that no allusion
Q 2
