He gave a cheerful assent.
"Now go away for half an hour," said Lady Ogram.

"Then come back, and ask for Miss Bride, and you'll find her here." She was at the end of her strength, and could barely make the last words audible.

Dyce pressed her hand silently, and withdrew.
After the imposed interval, he returned from a ramble in Piccadilly, where he had seen nothing, and was conducted again to the drawing-room.
There Constance sat reading.

She was perfectly calm, entirely herself, and, as Lashmar entered, she looked up with the usual smile.
"Have you been out this afternoon ?" he began by asking.
"Yes.

Why ?" "You went on business of Lady Ogram's ?" "Yes.