"Annoyed! No; I was delighted to come. And I am still more delighted that it looks as if I wasn't wanted."
"Oh, you're wanted, anyhow," said Adela.
She was very happy in his coming, and could not help showing it a little. Fortunately, it was tolerably certain (as she felt sometimes, intolerably certain) that Tom Loring would not notice anything. He never seemed to consider it possible that people might be particularly glad to see him.
"And you can stay, can't you?" she added.
"Oh, yes; I can stay a bit. I should like to. What made you send?"
"You know. I can't possibly describe it."
"Did Semingham notice it too?"
"Yes, he did, Mr. Loring. I distrust that man—Mr. Ruston I mean—utterly. And Maggie——"
"She's wrapped up in him?"
"Terribly. I tried to think it was his wretched Omofaga; but it's not; it's him."