"I think it is knocked on the head," he replied, courteously. "My sister has cried off it, and I am not very keen on it myself. I suppose your grandfather is staying on in town. How do you like the change?"
He talked on, for he saw the blank look of dismay on Jean's face, and the rush of colour to her cheeks.
"I did not understand you were up in town. Are you seeing any of the sights, or does your grandfather restrict your dissipation to the British Museum?"
Then Jean found her voice.
"I am not with him. I have made a mistake. It is of no consequence. I thought your trip was settled."
She turned to the door with averted face, but Colonel Douglas caught sight of tears brimming over. He was puzzled and uneasy, especially when he heard her add, almost in a whisper, "I don't know what to do."
"Where are you staying?" he asked kindly. "Do I know your friends? At all events, let me walk back with you."
Jean hurried out of the house, then as she saw him by her side she swallowed her disappointment, and with an effort said—
"Thank you. I don't know London very well. I want to go back to Charles Street. I have left my grandfather altogether. I—I am staying with Rawling's sister. It's a long way from here—in the City, they call it. I came by omnibus."
"I am afraid you are in a difficulty, are you not? Let us take a hansom, and then you can tell me all about it."