‘With whom I saw you in the Strand in London,’ hinted Arthur.
‘If you know anything of him, Harriet, except that he came from Venice—which we all know—tell it to Mr Clennam freely.’
‘I know nothing more about him,’ said the girl.
‘Are you satisfied?’ Miss Wade inquired of Arthur.
He had no reason to disbelieve them; the girl’s manner being so natural as to be almost convincing, if he had had any previous doubts. He replied, ‘I must seek for intelligence elsewhere.’
He was not going in the same breath; but he had risen before the girl entered, and she evidently thought he was. She looked quickly at him, and said:
‘Are they well, sir?’
‘Who?’
She stopped herself in saying what would have been ‘all of them;’ glanced at Miss Wade; and said ‘Mr and Mrs Meagles.’
‘They were, when I last heard of them. They are not at home. By the way, let me ask you. Is it true that you were seen there?’