The only other alternative was to ask leave to interrogate Moody privately, and, after duly reproving him, to insist on the departure of Old Sharon as the one condition on which Mr.Troy would consent to keep Lady Lydiard in ignorance of the truth.
"I think I shall manage better with Moody, if your Ladyship will permit me to see him in private," the lawyer said.

"Shall I go downstairs and speak with him in his own room ?" "Why should you trouble yourself to do that ?" said her Ladyship.

"See him here; and I will go into the boudoir." As she made that reply, the footman appeared at the drawing-room door.
"Send Moody here," said Lady Lydiard.
The footman's answer, delivered at that moment, assumed an importance which was not expressed in the footman's words.

"My Lady," he said, "Mr.
Moody has gone out.".