Mr. Goddard frowned and shuffled uneasily. Even though he had been fairly warned of the principle on which Lord Manton treated his friends in emergencies, he did not expect to be sacrificed so completely and remorselessly.
“You’re as bad yourself,” said Miss Blow.
“No,” said Lord Manton; “I’m not. Try to be just, Miss Blow. I didn’t run away from you.”
“You’re just as bad as he is,” said Miss Blow.
Her voice was clear and loud. Lord Manton glanced anxiously towards the hall. It was quite possible that the noise of the denunciation might reach the drawing-room.
“Wilkins,” he said, “did you shut the door of the big drawing-room?”
“No, my lord; I understood your lordship to say that this lady——”
“Then go and do it at once. I can’t have the other three—— Miss Blow is speaking to us in a confidential manner and doesn’t want——”
“Who are you shutting up?” said Miss Blow. “Who is your lackey going to imprison?”
“Some ladies,” said Lord Manton. “There are, I believe, three of them. But I’m not imprisoning them. I’m only trying to keep them where they are for a few minutes. I’m doing it entirely on your account. They wouldn’t be at all cheering company for you. They have, unfortunately, just lost their husbands under the most mysterious and trying circumstances. Members of Parliament, you know. Excellent fellows every one of them. The whole thing is unspeakably sad.”