"At any rate," he resumed, with undiminished
good temper," we are all three equally interested in setting this
matter at rest. I put it to you, Lady Janet, if we are not
favored, at this lucky moment, with the very opportunity that we
want? Miss Roseberry is not only out of the room, but out of the
house. If we let this chance slip, who can say what awkward
accident may not happen in the course of the next few days?"
"Let the woman come in," cried Lady Janet, deciding headlong,
with her customary impatience of all delay. "At once,
Julian--before Grace can come back. Will you ring the bell this
time?"
This time Julian rang it. "May I give the man his orders?" he
respectfully inquired of his aunt.
"Give him anything you like, and have done with it!" retorted the
irritable old lady, getting briskly on her feet, and taking a
turn in the room to compose herself.
The servant withdrew, with orders to show the visitor in.
Horace crossed the room at the same time--apparently with the
intention of leaving it by the door at the opposite end.
"You are not going away?" exclaimed Lady Janet.
"I see no use in my remaining here," replied Horace, not very
graciously.
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