“Sleepless, eh, Sir Oswald?” asked Battle.
“I am usually an excellent sleeper,” said Sir Oswald. “But I must confess that last night I felt unusually restless. I thought the night air would do me good.”
“You came out through this window, I suppose?”
Was it his fancy, or did Sir Oswald hesitate for a moment before replying?
“Yes.”
“In your pumps too,” said Lady Coote, “instead of putting thick shoes on. What would you do without me to look after you?”
She shook her head sadly.
“I think, Maria, if you don’t mind leaving us, we have still a lot to discuss.”
“I know, dear, I’m just going.”
Lady Coote withdrew, carrying the empty medicine glass as though it were a goblet out of which