Chapter 20: Quickened Heart-Beats

⁠​​​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌⁠On the morning of the de Hauteville ball, Trevalyon broke his fast somewhat earlier than usual, purposing to indulge in a long ride. In passing the salon of Lady Esmondet and Vaura, the door of which had been pushed open by his dog Mars half an hour previously. Trevalyon made a momentary pause, he could not see Lady Esmondet through the opening, only our sweet Vaura, who listening to her godmother