"What's that?"
"Never to keep Sir Charles waiting. The five minutes is up."
Mr. Banks looked half-annoyed, but his companion had already risen, so he made the best of it, pretended to laugh, and showed Mr. Effingham into Sir Charles Mitford's private snuggery.
Sir Charles was drinking a cup of coffee. He looked eagerly at Mr. Effingham, and when Banks had closed the door, said:
"By the expression of your face I should say you bring good news. In two words--do you, or do you not?"
"In two words--I do."
Mitford set down his cup. Through his mind rushed one thought--the spy over his flirtation with Mrs. Hammond was removed! henceforward he could sit with her, talk to her, look at her, with the consciousness that his words would reach her ear alone, that his actions would not be overlooked. His face flushed with anticipated pleasure as he said:
"How was it managed? Did she make much resistance?"
"Well, it wasn't a very easy job, and that's the fact. I've seen many women as could be got over with much less trouble. You see the party seems to be in very comfortable quarters here,--all right to eat and drink, and not too much to do, and that sort of thing."
"Well, what then?"