"I would not disturb you for worlds, but
I was so anxious."
"What has happened? Nothing serious, I trust?"
"I do not know. I cannot say. I am terribly upset."
"Do tell me all about it."
"Of course; that is why I came. But it will take some time. Will you
get into the carriage? Are you going anywhere? I can take you, and
tell you upon the road."
"I am afraid I cannot leave just at present." He had misgivings as to
his arbitrary young chief. "But if I might suggest, and if you will
honour me so far, will you not come upstairs to my room?"
"Oh! willingly, if you will allow me."
This was all that she wished. Very soon, escorted by her obsequious
friend, she found herself in his arm-chair, pouring forth a long and
intricate, not to say incomprehensible, story about Stanislas McKay.
She had heard, she said--it was not necessary to say how--that they
meant to send him on some secret expedition, full of danger, she
understood, and she thought it such a pity--so wrong, so unfair!
"He ought really to return to England and take up his proper
position," she went on. "Lord Essendine wishes it, and so, I am sure,
must you."
"No one will be more pleased to welcome him back than myself," said
Mr. Faulks. "I should be glad indeed of his countenance and support
just now.
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