"He would hardly come to stay without being invited," said May, archly. "But I thought you most likely knew. Didn't Lady Ogram mention it to you?"
"Not a word," answered Dyce. "No doubt she had a reason for saying nothing. You, possibly, could suggest it?"
His face had changed. There was cold annoyance in his look and in his voice.
"It must have been mere accident," said May.
"That it certainly wasn't. How long will Dymchurch stay?"
"I have no idea, Mr. Lashmar.—I must leave you. Many thanks for taking so much trouble to bring me the news."
She held out her hand. Dyce took and detained it.
"I am going to stay on at Hollingford," he said, "at the hotel. I shall run up to town this evening, but be back to-morrow. At lunchtime to-day I shall see you, but of course that doesn't count; we shan't be able to talk, Wednesday, to-morrow; on Thursday morning meet me here again, will you?"
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Mr. Lashmar," she answered with self-possession; trying, unobtrusively, to withdraw her hand.
"I beg you to! Indeed, you must."