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This so astounded Eleanor and I that we looked at each other in amazement. Then we turned our eyes back towards him, to discover that he was indeed holding a book.

‘The antics in the billiard-room are not to your taste?’ hazarded my sister.

‘No, I am afraid not,’ he said apologetically.

‘What book have you found?’ I asked.

He looked embarrassed and muttered something under his breath.

‘Oh, just something I was reading at home. I thought I had packed my copy but I do not seem to have it with me, and I wondered if I might find a copy here. Luckily I have done so – if you do not object to my borrowing it?’

‘You are very welcome to it,’ said Eleanor. ‘What is it?’

He tucked the book behind his back, but not before Eleanor had glimpsed its cover.

A Sicilian Romance!’ she exclaimed.

‘I have a partiality for Gothic novels,’ he admitted shamefacedly.

‘But this is capital,’ I said. ‘My sister and I like nothing better. Which ones have you read?’

Castle of Wolfenbach, Clermont, Mysterious Warnings, and Necromancer of the Black Forest,’ he said, warming to his theme. ‘Clermont was my favourite, but I must admit that I find them all very exciting.’ Then, recollecting himself, he said, ‘But I must not intrude any longer.’

‘You are not intruding,’ I assured him.

‘Will you not join us?’ asked Eleanor.

He looked delighted, but then decorum got the better of him and he said sedately, ‘If you are sure ...’

‘We are,’ said Eleanor. ‘We would like nothing better than some new company, would we not, Henry?’

I was quick to echo Eleanor’s sentiment, saying that we would be glad to have him join us.

He looked quietly pleased and took a seat.

‘Forgive me for saying so, but you do not seem like one of my brother’s friends,’ said Eleanor.

He was embarrassed.

‘I ... uh ... I am not exactly his friend, I think it would be more accurate to say that ... well, to put it frankly ... that is to say ... I know him because ... well, he owes me money.’

‘And he has invited you here in lieu of paying you, I suppose,’ said Eleanor with a sigh.

He blushed and fiddled with his cravat.

‘My rent being unpaid on account of the loan, which he finds himself temporarily unable to repay, he said it was the least he could do. He invited me to stay for a month, at the end of which he assures me he will be able to meet his obligations.’

‘Frederick grows worse,’ said Eleanor.

She looked at Mr Morris with a sympathetic eye, and with something else besides. It was curiosity and liking and perhaps even admiration, for his face had a certain interest to it and his manner, if hesitant, was engaging.

‘I am very sorry that you have been inconvenienced,’ I said, determined to make him feel welcome, ‘but for my own part I cannot regret it. Frederick’s error has brought us a true companion, and for that we must thank him.’

Eleanor smiled at me and mouthed the words, Well done. And indeed the poor fellow needed them, for he was uncomfortable – as who, in his position, would not be?

The conversation seeming likely to die, Eleanor said, ‘And where have you got to in A Sicilian Romance?’

I was pleased to see her animation and thought that, if Morris could enable her to overcome the sad memories that were attached to the book, then so much the better.

He opened it and showed the place.

‘Ah, only a few pages behind us,’ I said. ‘My sister and I are reading the book also. Pray, catch up with us and then we can read on together.’

I wondered whether Eleanor would object, but after opening her mouth slightly she closed it again.

When he had reached the place we ourselves had reached, he began to read aloud:

‘The nuptial morn, so justly dreaded by Julia, and so impatiently awaited by the marquis, now arrived. The marquis and marchioness received the duke in the outer hall, and conducted him to the saloon, where he partook of the refreshments prepared for him, and from thence retired to the chapel.

‘The marquis now withdrew to lead Julia to the altar, and Emilia was ordered to attend at the door of the chapel, in which the priest and a numerous company were already assembled. The marchioness, a prey to the turbulence of succeeding passions, exulted in the near completion of her favourite scheme. A disappointment, however, was prepared for her, which would at once crush the triumph of her malice and her pride. The marquis, on entering the prison of Julia, found it empty!

‘His astonishment and indignation upon the discovery almost overpowered his reason. Of the servants of the castle, who were immediately summoned, he enquired concerning her escape, with a mixture of fury and sorrow which left them no opportunity to reply. They had, however, no information to give, but that her woman had not appeared during the whole morning. In the prison were found the bridal habiliments which the marchioness herself had sent on the preceding night, together with a letter addressed to Emilia, which contained the following words:

‘ “Adieu, dear Emilia; never more will you see your wretched sister, who flies from the cruel fate now prepared for her, certain that she can never meet one more dreadful. In happiness or misery – in hope or despair – whatever may be your situation – still remember me with pity and affection. Dear Emilia, adieu! You will always be the sister of my heart – may you never be the partner of my misfortunes!” ’

He read well, and we were both engrossed.

‘I am very glad that Julia escaped,’ I said.

‘And so am I,’ he agreed. ‘I did not want to see her condemned to marry the duke. A woman should marry for love.’

‘Do you really think so?’ asked Eleanor.

‘I can think of no other reason,’ he said.

‘And a man?’ asked Eleanor.

‘The same, or what else is the point of it?’

I liked him more and more.

‘Do you think the marquis will be content to let her go?’ Julia asked.

He glanced down at the book again and shook his head, saying, ‘I fear not, for it says: It was agreed to pursue Julia with united, and indefatigable search; and that whenever she should be found, the nuptials should be solemnized without further delay. With—’

The sound of the dressing gong stopped him.

‘Oh! I cannot bear it!’ said Eleanor in pleasurable horror. ‘I hope the marquis does not capture her, or I am sure he will do something terrible to her.’

‘But not as terrible as whatever the general will do if we are late for dinner,’ I said. I turned to Mr Morris. ‘I am sorry, but my father is very particular about timekeeping. We will have to continue with this later.’

‘By all means,’ he said, looking much happier than he had done half an hour before.

We went inside and dressed quickly, but I was delayed by my cravat and so by the time I arrived downstairs my father was pacing the drawing room, his watch in his hand. On the very instant of my entering, he pulled the bell with violence and ordered, ‘Dinner to be on table directly!’

As luck would have it, Eleanor was seated between Mr Courteney and Mr Morris. Whilst Courteney talked of nothing but his horses and his dogs, Mr Morris evidently talked of more interesting things, for Eleanor was absorbed and on several occasions I saw her smile.

Frederick had been instructed to take the sweet and innocent Miss Dacres in to dinner and I was pleased to see that he treated her with courtesy. It was a relief that he was still able to value goodness and propriety. But he took little interest in her and responded to her comments with scant enjoyment.