With this Gratz departed, and Raikes prepared to make his appearance in the dining-room.
Advised of the intention of her brother to breakfast at the table, the spinster had hastened to precede him, and by the time Raikes presented himself she had managed to bestow a couple of furtive biscuits in her pocket, and had devoured another couple, lavishly buttered, accompanied by a fairly liberal cut of beefsteak.
Consequently, when Raikes conveyed his customary intimation that she was at liberty to begin, the spinster obediently proceeded to add a moderate breakfast to the one she had already enjoyed.
Trembling lest her brother would remark the developing suggestions of well-being which had resulted from her recent regimen, she welcomed with genuine relief the advent of the Sepoy, to whom Raikes transferred his speculative glance.
“Well!” exclaimed the Sepoy, “you have had quite a siege, I hear.”
“I have,” replied Raikes shortly; then added with a sort of grim humor: “My physician has recommended a little diversion, and I have just thought of a simple way of following his advice.”
“What is that?” asked the Sepoy.
“I would like to present myself at the usual hour and hear the conclusion of the story, for I judge, from the predicament of Prince Otondo, that the end is not far off.”
“Ah, you remember?” exclaimed the Sepoy.
“Decidedly!” replied Raikes.