“But why not release in full?” inquired the young lady.
“Because, my dear, there must be an investigation. And that takes time. However, he is practically free.”
CHAPTER XLVI
REVELATIONS
The ladies’ parlor of the Blank Hotel, in the city of Washington, consisted of several rooms thrown into one by arches, draped with curtains.
It was the habit of the guests to collect in family or social groups in the several compartments of this saloon, where each circle could enjoy some privacy apart from the stranger inmates.
On this warm evening in May all the Forces, except the mother, all the Grandieres who were in Washington, the Hedges, Miss Bayard, Roland, Gen. Anglesea and the Earl of Enderby, were assembled in the rear alcove, at a safe distance from any other guests who might be in the parlor.
For still greater privacy the curtains of the arch had been lowered, and for coolness the sashes of the bay window at the back had been raised.
They thus enjoyed something like the seclusion of a domestic drawing room.
There was a gay group at the other extremity of the saloon, and the sound but not the sense of their talk and laughter sometimes reached our party in the rear alcove.
But nothing that was spoken among the latter could possibly reach the ears of the former.