During his wildest times, Laurence had always been a punctual man; and even the irregular manner of his life during the two last years had not altered him in this respect. On the next afternoon, as the clock was striking three, he presented himself at Mrs. Hammond's door, and was immediately admitted and shown into her presence.
He was apparently a little too punctual; for a tall young woman, looking half lady, half nursery-governess, was standing by her and listening respectfully. Mrs. Hammond rose at the announcement of the Colonel's name, and coming forward, pressed his cold motionless hand with a tight grasp.
"Pray excuse me for one instant, Colonel Alsager," said she; "the doctors have said that we were all wrong in leaving Florence; that it's impossible Mr. Hammond can remain in London during this awful weather, and that he must go at once to Torquay. So I'm sending Miss Gillespie down there to get a house for us, and arrange matters before we go down.--Now, Ruth," turning to her, "I don't think there's any more to say. Not facing the sea, recollect, and a six-stall stable and double coach-house. You know all about the rest,--bed-rooms, and those sort of things,--and so goodbye."
Miss Gillespie touched lightly the outstretched tips of Mrs. Hammond's fingers, bowed gracefully to Laurence, and departed.
Mrs. Hammond watched the door close again, and obviously ill at ease, turned to Laurence, and said: "Miss Gillespie is the most invaluable person. She came at first as governess to Miss Hammond; but she has really made herself so useful to me, that I don't know what I should do without her. Housekeepers and all regular servants are so stupid; and I hate trouble so."
She stopped, and there was a dead silence. Mrs. Hammond coloured, and said: "Have you nothing to say, Colonel Alsager?"
"On the subject of Miss Gillespie, nothing. If you sent for me to expatiate to me on Miss Gillespie's virtues, I am sorry; for my time could have been better employed."
"Than in coming to see me? You did not think so once."
"Then we didn't talk about Miss Gillespie. Your note said that you had heard rumours, or riddles, which you wanted me to explain. What have you heard?"
"In a word, nothing. I wrote the first thing that came into my mind because I wanted to see you, Laurence Alsager. Because I have hungered to see you for two years; to hear your voice, to--You were at Vienna? at Ischl? and at Trieste?"