"He asked if--"
"What stranger?" rather testily interposed Lord Hartledon. "I am at
dinner, and can't see any stranger now. What are you thinking about,
Hedges?"
"It is what I said," returned Hedges; "but he would not take the answer.
He said he had come a long way to see your lordship, and he would see
you; his business was very important. My lady asked him--"
"Has Lady Hartledon returned?"
"She came in now, my lord, while I was denying you to him. Her ladyship
heard him say he would see you, and she inquired what his business was;
but he did not tell her. It was private business, he remarked, and could
only be entered into with your lordship."
"Who is it, Hedges? Do you know him?"
Lord Hartledon had dropped his voice to confidential tones. Hedges was
faithful, and had been privy to some of his embarrassments in the old
days. The man looked at the barrister, and seemed to hesitate.
"Speak out. You can say anything before Mr. Carr."
"I don't know him," answered Hedges. "It is the gentleman who came to
Hartledon the week after your lordship's marriage, asking five hundred
questions, and wanting--"
"He, is it?" interrupted Val. "You told me about him when I came home,
I remember. Go on, Hedges."
"That's all, my lord. Except that he is here now"--and Hedges nodded his
head towards the room-door. "He seems very inquisitive. When my lady went
upstairs, he asked whether that was the countess, and followed her to the
foot of the stairs to look after her.
Pages:
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308