“In that case, my lord, a gentleman has a message to give you; he says it is of the utmost importance, and asks if you will speak to him in the corridor.”
“Oh!” said Sir John, “is he an officer?”
“He is in civilian’s dress, but he looks like an officer.”
“Very good,” replied Sir John; “I know who he is.”
He rose and followed the woman. Roland was waiting in the corridor. Lord Tanlay showed no surprise on seeing him, but the stern look on the young man’s face repressed the first impulse of his deep affection, which was to fling himself upon his friend’s breast.
“Here I am, sir,” said Sir John.
Roland bowed.
“I have just come from your hotel,” he said. “You have, it seems, taken the precaution to inform the porter of your whereabout every time you have gone out, so that persons who have business with you should know where to find you.”
“That is true, sir.”
“The precaution is a good one, especially for those who, like myself, come from a long distance and are hurried and have no time to spare.”