'She came by herself last time. But I hear she is still very weak; perhaps someone will have to be sent from the hospital.'
During dinner, the library was discussed. Egremont reported that workmen were already busy in the school-rooms and in Grail's house.
'I'm in correspondence,' he said, 'with a man I knew some years ago, a scientific fellow, who has heard somehow of my undertakings, and wrote asking if he might help by means of natural science. Perhaps it might be well to begin a course of that kind in one of the rooms. It would appeal far more to the Lambeth men than what I am able to offer.'
This project passed under review, then Egremont himself led the talk to widely different things, and thereafter resisted any tendency it showed to return upon his special affairs. Annabel was rather silent.
An hour after dinner, Egremont had to depart to catch his train. He took leave of his friends very quietly.
'We shall come and see the library as soon as it is open,' said Mr. Newthorpe.
Egremont smiled merely.
Mr. Newthorpe remarked that Egremont seemed disappointed with the results of his work.
'I should uncommonly like to hear one of these new lectures,' he said. 'I expect there's plenty of sound matter in them. My fear is lest they are over the heads of his audience.'
'I fear,' said Mrs. Ormonde, 'it is waste both of his time and that of the men. But the library will cheer him; there is something solid, at all events.'