'Good-night, sir,' said Lord Hartfield; but the old man made no reply.
He sat frowning sullenly.
'Good-night, sir,' said Mary, in her gentle voice, breathing infinite
pity.
'Good-night, child,' he growled. 'I am sorry you have married an ass.'
This was more than Mary could stand, and she was about to reply with
some acrimony, when her husband put his hand upon her lips and hurried
her away.
On the landing they met Mrs. Steadman, a stout, commonplace person, who
always had the same half-frightened look, as of one who lived in the
shadow of an abiding terror, obviously cowed and brow beaten by her
husband, according to the Fellside household.
At sight of Lord Hartfield and his wife she looked a little more
frightened than usual.
'Goodness gracious, Lady Mary! how ever did you come here?' she gasped,
not yet having quite realised the fact that Mary had been promoted.
'We came to please Steadman's uncle--he brought us in here,' Mary
answered, quietly.
'But where did you find him?'
'In the corridor--just by her ladyship's room.
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