Trent nodded and she withdrew. The three were left alone, Ernestine and Francis remained apart as though by design. Trent was silent.
She returned in a moment or two.
“Sir Henry has not quite finished his examination, sir,” she announced. “The young lady can come up in half an hour.”
Again they were left alone. Then Trent crossed the room and stood between them and the door.
“Before you see your father, Miss Wendermott,” he said, “I have an explanation to make to you!”
CHAPTER XLI
She looked at him calmly, but in her set, white face he seemed to read already his sentence!
“Do you think it worth while, Mr. Trent? There is so much, as you put it, to be explained, that the task, even to a man of your versatility, seems hopeless!”
“I shall not trouble you long,” he said. “At least one man's word should be as good as another's—and you have listened to what my enemy”—he motioned towards Francis—“has to say.”