"I'll see to him. You two boys clear out and go home to bed."
"But we can't leave you alone with Hay," said Tempest.
"I'll not be alone with him," cried the little woman, imperiously; "my companion is with me. What do you mean?"
"He might do you some harm."
"Oh! might he? You take me for a considerable idiot, I suppose. You get along, boys, and leave me to fix up things."
Both young men protested again; but Aurora, anxious for her conversation with Hay, bundled them out of the flat and banged the door to, when she heard them whistling below for a hansom. Then she went to the dining-room.
"You come along to the drawing-room," she said to Hay. "Miss Stably, stop here."
"I haven't got my shawl," bleated the old lady.
"Oh, bother," Aurora ran to the other room, snatched up the shawl and saw Miss Stably sitting down to knit, while she led Hay back into the drawing-room. He looked round when he entered.
"Where are they?" he asked, sitting down.