On the steps he turned toward Ralston inquiringly.
"Ellen has been waiting," said the latter in a low voice, looking away.
"What do you mean? Does she know?" asked Steadman in a whisper.
"I don't know how much," replied Ralston. "She feared you were going to lose your chance—that you'd be done for, and asked me to try and look you up. She—she cares for you, I think."
Steadman uttered a groan.
"Oh, I'm a brute," he muttered.
He looked anything but a brute in his olive-drab uniform, campaign hat and shining sword.
"Come along," said Ralston, grabbing him by the arm. They took their seats in the hansom.
"Where to?" asked the cabby monotonously.
"The Chilsworth," said Ralston.