Severne looked out of his bedroom window, and saw Uxmoor drive up. Dark
blue coach; silver harness, glittering in the sun; four chestnuts, glossy
as velvet; two neat grooms as quick as lightning. He was down in a
moment, and his traps in the hall, and the grooms drove the trap round to
the stables.
They were all in the drawing-room when Lord Uxmoor appeared; greeted Zoe
with respectful warmth, Vizard with easy friendship, Severne and Miss
Dover with well-bred civility. He took Zoe out, and sat at her right hand
at dinner.
As the new guest, he had the first claim on her attention and they had a
topic ready--his sick friend. He told her all about him, and his happy
recovery, with simple warmth. Zoe was interested and sympathetic; Fanny
listened, and gave Severne short answers. Severne felt dethroned.
He was rather mortified, and a little uneasy, but too brave to show it.
He bided his time. In the drawing-room Lord Uxmoor singled out Zoe, and
courted her openly with respectful admiration. Severne drew Fanny apart,
and exerted himself to amuse her. Zoe began to cast uneasy glances.
Severne made common cause with Fanny. "We have no chance against a lord,
or a lady, you and I, Miss Dover.
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