Here he is. Let me introduce you before
he takes me off. Lord Hilton, Mr. Closs."

The next moment Clara was whirling through the room, with Hepworth
Closs' arm around her waist, and her hand on his shoulder. She kept her
word, and spent half her evening with him, managing to escape
observation as much as possible, and thus secured a few hours of supreme
happiness.

Lord Hope had received his brother-in-law with gentlemanly ease. How
could he help it, not being master at Houghton?

Besides, he was disposed to cast off all responsibility with regard to
his daughter's choice of a husband, and leave everything to the judgment
and pride of the old countess, who happened to like Closs, and was not
aware how much of that evening he spent with her grandchild.

Rachael was in ecstasies. She loved her brother dearly, and his apparent
reconciliation with her husband lifted the last cloud from her heart. It
seemed to her that night as if she had nothing to wish for.

The old countess stood to her post bravely, until after the supper-rooms
had been thrown open and the gay crowds had passed in and out again; but
when the dancing had recommenced and the conversation around her grew
brilliant and a little confusing, she turned suddenly pale, and would
have fallen, but that Lady Clara, who stood near, sprang forward and
threw both arms around her.

"She is better; she can walk now. I will go with her," cried the excited
young creature. "Papa, you shall help her up-stairs, then I will take
care of her," she added, seeing how helpless the old lady was.

Lord Hope almost carried the old lady up-stairs. Then Clara called aloud
for Caroline Brown, who came out from her chamber, and, between them,
they led the old countess into the tower-room.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE OLD WOMAN WANDERS BACK AGAIN.

Old Mrs. Yates had left the railroad station two miles back, and was
walking wearily along the high road toward the village, which lay, as it
were, at the feet of Houghton Castle, like a spaniel crouching at the
foot of its mistress. At the station and all along the road she had
observed an unusual commotion. Carriages in an unprecedented number were
waiting for special trains, which came in more than once that day for
Houghton Castle.

All the vehicles in the neighborhood were in motion, dashing to and from
the village inns, the castle, and a neighboring town, where
accommodations for a great access of people could be obtained.