She now stopped him in the middle of a sentence, with a change of expression in her own face which was undisguisedly a change to alarm.
"Don't apologize, Mr.Troy," she said.

"I am to blame for forgetting your appointment and for not keeping my nerves under proper control." She paused for a moment and took a seat before she said her next words.
"May I ask," she resumed, "if there is something unpleasant in the business that brings you here ?" "Nothing whatever, my Lady; mere formalities, which can wait till to-morrow or next day, if you wish it." Lady Lydiard's fingers drummed impatiently on the table.

"You have known me long enough, Mr.Troy, to know that I cannot endure suspense.

You _have_ something unpleasant to tell me." The lawyer respectfully remonstrated.

"Really, Lady Lydiard!--" he began.
"It won't do, Mr.Troy! I know how you look at me on ordinary occasions, and I see how you look at me now.