The visitor crossed the threshold and was relieved of cap and stick.
"Sir William said an officer from the Admiralty would call at nine, sir; but he didn't mention no name, and I was to show you into the library. Sir William is still up in the laboratory, sir"—the butler lowered his voice to a confidential undertone—"with all the Naval gentlemen that was dining here—their Lordships, sir." He turned as he spoke and led the way across the hall. "It's a long time since you was last here, sir, if I may say so——" There was the faintest tone of reproach in the old servitor's tones. "I dare say you'll be forgetting your way about the house." The butler stopped at a door. "This way, sir—Miss Cecily's in here——"
The King's Messenger halted abruptly, as panic-stricken a young gentleman as ever wore the King's uniform.
"Haines!" he said. "No! Not—not that room. I'll wait—I——" But the old man had opened the door and stood aside to allow the visitor to enter.
D'Auvergne drew a deep breath and stepped forward. As he did so, the butler spoke again.
"Lieutenant d'Auvergne, Miss," he said, and quietly closed the door.
Save for the light from a shaded electric reading-lamp by the fireplace the big room was in shadow. A handful of peat smouldered on the wide brick hearth and mingled its faint aroma with the scent of roses.
An instant's silence was followed by the rustle of silk, and a white-clad form rose from a low arm-chair beside the reading-lamp.
"I seem to remember the name," said Cecily in her clear, sweet tones, "but you're in the shadow. Can you find the switch … by the door…" An odd, breathless note had caught up in her voice.
The King's Messenger laid the black despatch bag he still carried on a chair by the door and limped towards her across the carpet.