"Mr.Moody requested me to prepare your Ladyship--" "Will you ring the bell, Mr.Troy, or must I ?" Moody had evidently been waiting outside while the lawyer spoke for him.
He saved Mr.Troy the trouble of ringing the bell by presenting himself in the drawing-room.

Lady Lydiard's eyes searched his face as he approached.

Her bright complexion faded suddenly.

Not a word more passed her lips.

She looked, and waited.
In silence on his part, Moody laid an open sheet of paper on the table.
The paper quivered in his trembling hand.
Lady Lydiard recovered herself first.