"Not a word of it," he answered warmly. "I never mentioned your name, nor referred to you in any way."
She could not help ejaculating a little sarcastically:
"How circumspect!"
"And now," he said, coming closer to her, "will you not give me an answer? I love you, and I cannot wait. And oh! speak quickly, for here comes Mrs. Petter straight towards us."
"I do not like Lethbury," said Mrs. Cristie.
Lodloe could have stamped his feet, in the fire of his impatience.
"But of me, of myself," he said. "And oh! speak quickly, she is almost here."
"Please cease," said Mrs. Cristie; "she will hear you."
Mrs. Petter came up panting.
"I don't want to interrupt you, Mrs. Cristie," she said, "but really and truly you ought to go to your baby. He has stopped crying in the most startling and suspicious way. Of course I don't know what she has done to him, and whether it's anything surgical or laudanum. And it isn't for me to be there to smell the little creature's breath; but you ought to go this minute, and if you find there is anything needed in the way of mustard, or hot water, or sending for the doctor, just call to me from the top of the stairs."