“Hullo!” said Sydney to himself; “the old humbug smells a legacy.”
“Pray go at once, Mr Trimmer.”
“Oh, thank you, my lady. You always are so sympathetic in a case of trouble.”
“I hope so, Mr Trimmer. Can I do anything for her, or for you?”
“Oh, no, my lady. Your permission is all I want. I am in hopes that my presence will be of some benefit to her. I am her favourite nephew.”
“Then pray go at once. You will return to-night, of course?”
“Oh, yes, my lady; but I fear that I shall have to make it the last train.”
“Of course. Give Sir Hilton’s man orders to meet you with the dogcart at the station. I would say stop as long as is necessary with the poor old invalid were it not that I wish you to be on the spot to watch over the progress of Sir Hilton’s Parliamentary affairs. Just now they are vital.”
“Exactly, my lady. Good-morning, my lady, and thank you for your kindness.”
Lady Lisle smiled and bowed, raising her hand in a queenly way, as if