‘Kindly give me her address then,’ he said. ‘She wanted me to write her a testimonial, which I am happy to do. She was a very efficient secretary; I have nothing but praise for her. I will send it her to-morrow.’
‘She spoke to me of that,’ said Charles, ‘and asked that you would send it to me, to forward to her. But I can’t give you her address without her express permission.’
‘But what nonsense this is,’ said Keeling angrily. ‘As if I couldn’t find her in a week for myself.’
‘I trust you will attempt to do no such thing, sir,’ said Charles.
‘And do you presume to dictate to me what I shall do and what I shall not?’ asked he.
Charles looked at him with some shadow of the pity he had seen to-day in Norah’s eyes.
‘I don’t dictate to you at all,’ he said. ‘I only remind you of Norah’s wishes.’
‘And do you agree with them? Do you approve of her mad freak in running off like this?’
‘Yes, sir; as far as I understand what has happened I do approve. I think it was the only honest course left her.’