I suppose you were too busy to hear him come in." The clerk coughed a doubtful kind of cough, significant of perplexity.
"Upon my word, sir, I believe he's out; but I'll see." "Thanks; I'd rather see myself, if you please," Gilbert said, passing the perturbed clerk before that functionary could make up his mind whether he ought to intercept him.
He opened the office-door and went in.

Mr.Medler was sitting at his desk, bending over some formidable document, with the air of a man who is profoundly absorbed by his occupation; with the air also, Gilbert thought, of a man who has been what is vernacularly called "on the listen." "Good-morning, Mr.Medler," Gilbert said politely; "your clerk had such a conviction of your being out, that I had some difficulty in convincing him you were at home." "I've only just come in; I suppose Lucas didn't hear me." "I suppose not; I've been here twice before in search of you, as I conclude you have been told.

I have expected to hear from you daily." "Well, yes--yes," replied the lawyer in a meditative way; "I am aware that I promised to write--under certain circumstances." "Am I to conclude, then, that you were silent because you had nothing to communicate?
that you have obtained no tidings of any kind respecting Mrs.Holbrook ?" Mr.Medler coughed; a cough no less expressive of embarrassment than that of his clerk.
"Why, you see, Mr.Fenton," he began, crossing his legs, and rubbing his hands in a very deliberate manner, "when I made that promise with reference to Mrs.Holbrook, I made it of course without prejudice to the interests or inclinations of my client.

I might be free to communicate to you any information I received upon this subject--or I might find myself pledged to withhold it." Gilbert's face flushed with sudden excitement.
"What!" he cried, "do you mean to say that you have solved the mystery of Marian Holbrook's fate?
that you know her to be alive--safe--well, and have kept back the knowledge from me ?" "I have been compelled to submit to the wishes of my client.

I will not say that I have not offered considerable opposition to her desire upon this point, but finding her resolution fixed, I was bound to respect it." "She is safe--then all this alarm has been needless?
You have seen her ?" "Yes, Mr.Fenton, I have seen her." "And she--she forbade you to let me know of her safety?
She was willing that I should suffer all the anguish of uncertainty as to her fate?
I could not have believed her so unkind." "Mrs.Holbrook had especial reasons for wishing to avoid all communication with former acquaintances.