"Where?"
"Why should you ask? Do I generally tell you where I am going? Well, if you particularly want to know, I am going to the Novelty Theatre."
"To see Ethel act?"
"No—her part will be over by the time I get there. I shall probably see her home."
Mrs. Romaine made no remonstrance. If she thought her brother's conduct a trifle heartless, she did not venture to say so. She was sometimes considerably in awe of Oliver, although he was only a younger brother.
She went into the drawing-room rather slowly, watching him as he put on his hat and overcoat in the hall.
"There is one thing I meant to tell you to-night, but I forgot it until now," she said, pausing at the drawing-room door. "I am nearly sure that I saw Francis in the Square to-day."
Oliver turned round quickly. "The deuce you did! Did he see you?—did he try to speak to you?"
"No, but I think that he is lying in wait. You made me promise to tell you when I saw him next."
"Yes, indeed. I won't have him bothering you for money. If he wants money he had better come to me."