She knew that Nestley was stopping at "The House of Good Living," so went straight there and asked for him, whereupon she was shown into the parlour, before the fire of which was seated the unhappy young man, looking more worn out and haggard than ever. He started to his feet when he saw Patience and stared anxiously at her, speaking the thought that was uppermost in his mind:
"Is Miss Una ill?" he asked, thinking she had come for his professional services.
"No, sir," replied Patience sitting down and throwing back her veil, "Miss Una is quite well--I have come to see you on my own business."
"Are you ill?" he asked wearily, resuming his seat and leaning his head upon his hand, "what is the matter with you?"
"Nothing at all," she answered coldly. "My health is all right, but I wish to speak to you about Mr. Beaumont."
Dr. Nestley looked at her in surprise, with a bitter smile on his lips.
"What, you too?" he said derisively, "are you another of his victims?"
"No--I am not his victim--but, as you know, I am the nurse of Mr. Blake, who lately succeeded to the property, and as he is now in London with Mr. Beaumont I want to hear from your own lips what danger you think there is in such companionship."
"What can I say?"
"Everything; you told Miss Una your story yesterday and she said something about it to me----"