CHAPTER VIW
HEN Sir Harry came down to his early breakfast next morning he was much surprised to find Mrs. Merton already drinking her coffee. On hearing that she intended to accompany him as far as Winter Overcotes in the hope of catching one more glimpse of her brother he inwardly disapproved. A soldier’s life was made of partings and the less womenfolk bothered him the better. He ate his breakfast behind the newspaper, which was what he called a penny-halfpenny rag, for The Times in its stately march did not come till later, too polite to tell his guest he didn’t want her company, yet unable to be perfectly cordial to her. Lydia, more sensitive to fine shades than of old, felt less and less comfortable. She had told Noel the night before what her plan was.
“I can’t stop you,” said Noe
