“Why did not my brother return? There is the landlady to pay.”
“He has commissioned me to do that. I am going to see you both off, and if you’ll only say a kind word to me, Miss Louy, I don’t know but what I’ll come with you.”
“Did my brother send that message to me, Mr Pradelle?” said Louise, looking at him fixedly.
“Yes, and the cab’s waiting at the door.”
“It is not true,” said Louise firmly.
“What?”
“I say, sir, it is not true. After what has passed between us this morning, my brother would not send such a message by you.”
“Well, if ever man had cause to be hurt I have,” cried Pradelle. “Why, you’ll tell me next that he didn’t go out to pawn some of your jewels.”
Louise hesitated.
“There, you see, I am right. He has taken quite a scare, and daren’t come back. Perhaps you won’t believe that. There, come along; we’re wasting time.”