“I suppose you are not glad that I am going to stay, Mr Girtle,” he said.
“For some things I am,” said the old man, coolly. “For others I am not.”
Just then Capel returned.
The two girls separated as they reached their rooms, Katrine kissing Lydia’s cheek, and then, as soon as she was alone, her countenance changed, and she sat gazing with glowing eyes, that seemed full of some purpose upon which she was bent.
At the same time Lydia Lawrence sat with her face buried in her hands, weeping silently and wishing that she were back in her country home.
Very little more was said below, for Mr Girtle had an engagement in the City, and left the young men together.
“You won’t have a detective set to work?”
“No.”
“Well, do as you like. I’m off for a run, to get rid of this gloom. Back to dinner.”
“Thank goodness!” said Artis, breathing more freely, and five minutes after he was slowly crossing the square, wondering who the man was who had just gone up to the door he had left.