“See here, my dear,” he said, “and think how we’re all at the mercy of the press. There’s my lady giving a little party this evening, and I’m blest if they don’t know all about it already. Listen here: ‘Lady Osborne has a small party to-night to meet——’”
“Ah, don’t,” said Dora, not meaning to speak, but knowing she had to.
Instantly the paper fell to the ground.
“What is it, my dear?” he said.
“I have heard from Sir Henry,” she said.
She gave him a moment for that; then she went on——
“Dad, dear,” she said, “there is trouble. He saw her again yesterday, and has written to me about it. There is something wrong. He does not know for certain what it is, but they will have to find out. Oh, it is no use my hinting at it. You’ve got to know.”
“Yes, my dear, yes,” said he.
“They have got to operate. It may be very bad indeed. They can’t tell yet. They don’t know till they see.”
Dora drew a long breath.