“‘Tell your master I want to see him,’ I said hastily.
“‘Ain’t at home, sir,’ he said, recovering himself.
“‘Your mistress, then,’ I cried fiercely.
“‘She ain’t—’
“‘Confound you!’ I roared, catching him by the collar, to the disarrangement of his white cravat; ‘tell her—there, there!’ I said, cooling down and slipping a couple of florins in the man’s hand. ‘Here, show me in directly to either of them; I am Miss Hendrick’s father.’
“The man’s frightened, angry face changed on the instant, and he showed me at once into a garish drawing-room, where a coarse, florid woman was lying back on a lounge, fanning herself.
“‘Mrs Saint Ray,’ I said hastily, ‘my name is Hendrick. I have come up in answer to your husband’s letter.’
“‘You must see him, my good man,’ she exclaimed angrily. ‘I told Thomas not to admit any one.’
“‘But this is life or death to me, madam—my child’s honour. Tell me, I beg of you, all you know.’
“‘You people should bring your children up better,’ was the reply. ‘It’s very dreadful—very shocking! and my poor darlings have had a most narrow escape.’