Mr. Pennell amused himself with thinking of the scare he should create at the dinner table, by “springing” the news of Ralph’s intended marriage upon them, all at once. Would the young lady have hysterics, he wondered, or faint away, or burst into a passion of tears? He laughed inwardly at the probability! He felt very cruel over it! He had no pity for the poor quadroon, as Doctor Phillips had called her. It was better that she should suffer, than that Elinor Leyton should have to break off her engagement. And, by Margaret Pullen’s account, Miss Brandt had been both defiant and insulting to Miss Leyton. She must be a brazen, unfeeling sort of girl--it was meet that she paid the penalty of her foolhardiness. It was in such a mood that Anthony Pennell arrived at the Red House at five o’clock in the afternoon, that he might have the opportunity to inspect the collection of china that had gained him an entrance there. The Baroness had promised to be home in time to receive him, but he was punctual and she was not. Harriet Brandt was loitering about the garden, which was still pleasant enough on fine days in the middle of September, when the news that Mr. Pennell was in the drawing-room was brought to her by Miss Wynward. Harriet had been very eager to meet Anthony Pennell--not because she was pining after his cousin, but because her feminine curiosity was strong to discover _why_ Ralph had deserted her, and if he had been subjected to undue influence to force him to do so. But now that the time had come, she felt shy and nervous. Suppose he, Mr. Pennell, had seen Miss Leyton meanwhile, and heard all that had taken place between them, when she visited the Red House. And suppose he should take Miss Leyton’s part! Harriet’s mind was full of “supposes” as she turned to Miss Wynward and said, “O! I can’t go and receive him, Miss Wynward! Mr. Pennell has come to see the Baroness, not me! Cannot you entertain him until she comes home? She will not be long now!” “Her ladyship’s last words to me, Miss Brandt, were, that if she had not returned from the factory by the time Mr. Pennell arrived, you were to receive him and give him afternoon tea in her stead! I hope you will do as her ladyship desired!” “Well! I suppose I must then,” replied Harriet, screwing up her mouth, with a gesture of dissatisfaction, “but do send in the tea, quickly, please!” “It shall be up, Miss Brandt, as soon as I can get back to make it! Mr. Pennell seems a very pleasant gentleman! I wouldn’t mind if I were you!” Miss Wynward hurried back to the house, as she spoke, and Harriet walked slowly over the lawn towards the drawing-room windows.