They both heard wheels.
"It's the dog-cart. I thought so. It was the only thing left, and I
suppose they've got hold of a boy to drive it. Thank goodness! Miss
Jones," said Trevellyan for the fourth time, "I can't tell you what I
think of you; you've been simply wonderful."
"Don't! Of course I haven't."
Grace's voice was more agitated than accorded with her previous
declaration of imperturbability, and something in the few shaky words
caused John to put out his hand and grasp hers for a moment, while he
hailed the cart.
"Here we are! Did Miss Vivian send you?"
"Her ladyship, sir. Couldn't come any faster, sir; the roads are so
bad."
"They are. How is Sir Piers?"
"The same, sir--still unconscious. Dr. Prince don't anticipate no
immediate change, sir, but he's staying the night."
"Good! He's telephoned to Questerham, I suppose. Now, Miss Jones, let me
help you. Boy, you'd better get on to the back seat; your inches are
better suited to it than mine," said John firmly. He put the rug round
Grace, and she sank thankfully on to the small seat of the dog-cart.
They hardly spoke while he drove cautiously along the remaining mile of
high road and up the long avenue to Plessing.
Even when John helped her down at the hall door he only said: "I shall
see you tomorrow. I shall never forget this Christmas Eve."
"Nor I," said Grace.
In the hall Miss Bruce greeted them with subdued exclamations.
"_How_ tired you must be, and half frozen! Sir Piers is just the same;
the doctor is still upstairs. He and Charmian got here two hours ago or
more, and told us what had happened. There wasn't anything to send for
you but the little cart. Poor dear Charmian! such a home-coming for her!
She's wonderful, of course--never given way for an instant."
"Where is she?"
"Upstairs. I've sent to tell her and Lady Vivian that you've arrived at
last."
"And, Miss Bruce, we _should_ like some food if it can be managed
without too much trouble."
"Of course, of course. Miss Jones, your room is ready. Wouldn't you like
to change your wet shoes at once?"
Miss Bruce spoke with an odd mixture of doubt and compassion, as she
looked at Grace warming her frozen hands at the hall fire. It was
evident that she did not feel certain whether Miss Jones was to be
regarded as a friend of Lady Vivian's, whom Captain Trevellyan had
judged necessary to bring to Plessing at all costs, for Joanna's sake,
or as Char's junior secretary, thrusting herself upon her chief's family
at a particularly inopportune moment. But the question was solved a few
instants later, when Joanna Vivian herself, coming downstairs in her
black tea-gown, exclaimed softly: "You've brought her, Johnnie! Well
done! No; there's no change yet. I want you to see Dr. Prince." Then she
took Grace's hands in hers and said: "Thank you, my dear, for coming to
me."