The serving man's steps were heard the other side of the door. He was coming in answer to the bell.
Lord Stowmaries dropped on one knee. He contrived to capture a feebly-resisting little hand and to impress a kiss upon the rouge-tipped fingers.
Then after a final low bow, he turned and walked out of the room.
CHAPTER V
There is nothing but roguery to be found in villainous man.
—I Henry IV. II. 4.
Mistress Julia Peyton waited for a few moments until the opening and shutting of the outer door proclaimed the fact that young Lord Stowmaries had really and definitely gone.
Then she went to the little secrétaire which stood in an angle of the room, drew forth a sheet of paper, took a heavy quill pen in her hand, and feverishly—though very laboriously—began to write.