There was a pleasant brisk ring about his voice that inclined her rather favorably towards him.
“Is there anything. … Did you want to speak to me? … Yes, I am Lady Laura Bethell.”
“I was told you were at church, madam, and that you were not at home to visitors on Sunday.”
“That is quite right. … May I ask … ?”
“Only a few minutes, Lady Laura, I promise you. Will you forgive my persistence?”
(Yes; the man was a gentleman; there was no doubt of that.)
“Would not tomorrow do? I am rather engaged today.”
He had his card-case ready, and without answering her at once, he came up the steps and handed it to her.
The name meant nothing at all to her.
“Will not tomorrow … ?” she began again.
“Tomorrow will be too late,” said the old gentleman. “I beg of you, Lady Laura. It is on an extremely important matter.”
She still hesitated an instant; then she pushed the door open and went in.
“Please come in,” she said.
She was so taken aback by the sudden situation that she forgot completely that the drawing room would be upside down, and led the way straight upstairs; and it was not till she was actually within the door, with the old gentleman close on her heels, that she saw that, with the