He went immediately in search of Mrs. Force, whom he found at her piano in the drawing room.
“I must have a few moments uninterrupted conversation with you. Where can I best secure it?”
“Here,” she answered, wearily. “No one is likely to enter and disturb you.”
“Very well, then. Here be it,” he assented, walking down the room to a group of chairs near the open fire.
She arose and followed him.
As soon as they were seated he said:
“I have just left your daughter. I have made her an offer of my hand.”
“Well?”
“She refused it.”
“Just what you might have expected.”