Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/297

Rh "Will you try another, then?"

"No."

"You acknowledge my superiority?"

"Yes—as a chess-player."

I rose to resume my work.

"Where is Annabella?" said Hargrave, gravely, after glancing round the room.

"Gone out with Lord Lowborough," answered I, for he looked at me for a reply.

"And not yet returned!" he said seriously.

"I suppose not."

"Where is Huntingdon?" looking round again.

"Gone out with Grimsby—as you know," said Hattersley suppressing a laugh, which broke forth as he concluded the sentence.

Why did he laugh? Why did Hargrave connect them thus together? Was it true, then?—And was this the dreadful secret he had wished to reveal to me? I must know—and that quickly. I instantly rose and left the room to go in search of Rachel, and demand an explanation of her