He had been absent for two or three days, having gone up to town to
visit his father, who had been somewhat seriously unwell, and as he rode
toward Castleford he gave more thought than usual to his young
_fiancee_. In truth, a visit to Colonel Ormonde was a great bore to him.
He had nothing in common with the Colonel, whose pig-headed conservatism
jarred on Errington's broader views, while his stories and reminiscences
were exceedingly uninteresting, and sometimes worse. Mrs. Ormonde's
small coquetries, her airs and graces, were equally unattractive to him.
Still it was well to have Lady Alice at Castleford, within easy reach,
while there was so much to occupy his time and attention in the country.
As soon as he was sure of his election he would hasten his marriage, and
perhaps get the honey-moon over in time to take his seat while there was
still a month or two of the session unexpired.
From Lady Alice it was an easy transition of thought to the new guest at
Castleford. Where had he seen her face? and with what was he associated
in her mind? Nothing agreeable; of that he was quite sure. The vivid
blush and indescribable shrinking he had noticed more than once (and
Errington, like most quiet men, was a close observer) seemed
unaccountable.
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