To this last piece of impertinence Askew would have replied rather sharply, thereby proving the truth of her remark, but that the door was blocked by a tall lean man.
"M. Aksakoff!" announced the footman, behind the newcomer.
"Good-day, Lady James. Good-day, M. Aksakoff, and good-bye."
Leah, when alone with the diplomatist, felt her heart leap at the solemnity of his looks. She fancied that he might have come to tell her of the doctor's escape. In reality, Aksakoff was wondering how he could pay her two thousand pounds without turning the arranged comedy into a drama. Feeling his way, he allowed her the first word.
"You will stop to luncheon," said Lady Jim, amiably.
"I trespass too much on your hospitality, dear madame. You must have had enough of me at our last luncheon in Paris."
"Oh, I have forgotten all about Paris;" and she gave him a look which intimated that he also should feign forgetfulness.
"Ah, no; but pardon me, I came to inquire about M. Demetrius."
"Why from me? I know nothing. Wait--I do know something. He wrote me a letter saying he was better and intended to go to Russia."
"Probably to see Petrovitch about his pardon. I wish I had seen him before he left Paris;" and the diplomatist smiled when the letter was mentioned.