XVII
"No," said the girl. "I don't think anyone would do but Miss Staveley herself."
She was a pretty girl, somewhere in the last teens, but at the moment she was flushed and nervous and looked tired out.
"Do you know her personally?" asked the loyal and wary Jan.
"I could hardly say 'know,'" replied the girl, "but we met at a dinner-party once. At Lady Toulmin's. Perhaps you would tell her?"
"You are quite sure it is nothing that I could do?" Jan inquired.
"Quite," said the girl.
"But Miss Staveley is very busy," Jan persisted. "We haven't got through the letters yet. Indeed, we're not really open. You must let me know what you want to see her about."