"Lord Leyton."
She started to her feet, the blood coursing through her veins; then, suddenly remembering Austin Ambrose's advice, sank down again, and, looking over her shoulder, said, in a low and rather languid voice:
"Oh, is that you, Blair?"
Blair was very much relieved by the manner of his reception. He had expected, and dreaded, a fuss, and he was grateful to her for sparing him.
"Yes, it's I," he said, taking her hand, which trembled a little, for all her efforts to keep it steady. "You didn't expect to see me. I ought to have called before, but——" he hesitated and looked down, as men do who are bad at excuses.
"But you are given to leaving undone what you should do, and doing that which you should leave undone!" she said, with a soft laugh. "Of course, I am glad to see you. Come nearer the fire. It is an awful evening, isn't it?"
"Beastly!" he said, and he drew his chair up to the fire.
"You are just in time for tea. Shall we have lights?"
"No," he replied, "unless you want them. I like this firelight."
"It is rather cozy," she said. "I am fond of it myself. Will you ring the bell?"