“Well, then, look here; I will tell you,” and she suddenly leant forward. Her visitor also approached her head, her heart beat fast—these moments are the sparks of life!
“Miss Loftus, the adopted daughter of Mrs. Loftus, is just a——”
There was a footstep outside.
“Hark! my husband is coming!”
“Quick, quick, you must tell me!” cried Lady Foxrock, seizing her arm in an agony of suspense.
Mrs. Dexter once again leant forward, and whispered, and, ere her whispering had ceased, the handle rattled, and the two heads started apart, as the door opened and Mr. Dexter entered the room.
His wife had entirely recovered her self-possession and said, with incredible assurance, “Oh, there you are, dear. I’m so glad you’ve come in while Lady Foxrock is here.”
He advanced with broad, extended palm. Lady Foxrock, who seemed embarrassed, and strangely flushed, said:
“Yes; I’ve paid, you see, my threatened visit to your wife, and now”—rising as she spoke—“I must positively be going. I’m such a busy person, my quarters of an hour are all filled up.”
“I am sorry I did not come home a little sooner,” said Joe Dexter, who saw that his wife was flattered and gratified, and felt proportionately pleased.