Jenny was standing at the window, watching the people go by, when a cab drew up and Leigh sprang out, to let himself in with his latch-key; and she was half-way down to meet him as he was coming up.
“Pierce,” she whispered excitedly. “Claud Wilton has been. He has, he is sure, found Kate; and he is coming again to fetch you to where she is.”
Leigh staggered, and caught at the balustrade to save himself from falling.
“Where is she?” he panted.
“I—don’t know; he was not quite sure, but he is coming again. He says no one but you has a right to be there when she is found; and Pierce—Pierce—he is going to bring her here!”
Leigh stood gazing straight before him, feeling as if he could hardly breathe, and he followed his sister into the drawing-room, but had hardly sunk into a chair when there was a tremendous peal at the bell.
“Here he is!” cried Jenny; and Leigh sprang from his seat to hurry down, but restrained himself, and to his sister’s despair, stood waiting.
“Pierce, dear,” she whispered, “pray go.”
“I have no right,” he said huskily; and Jenny wrung her hands and tried vainly for what she deemed the correct words to say.
The painful silence was broken by the appearance of the maid.