“Oh, yes, I know the rest,” said Sir Gordon gruffly. “Come along. Where can we get a coach?”
“I’ll show you,” said Bayle, taking his arm and leading him through two or three streets, to stop at last in a quiet, new-looking square close by St. John’s Street.
“Well, what’s the matter?” said Sir Gordon testily. “Nothing, I hope; only I must make a call here before I go down with you.”
“For goodness’ sake, make haste, then, man! My boots are torturing me!”
“Come in, then, and sit down,” said Bayle, smiling, as a stern-looking woman opened the door, and curtsied familiarly.
“I must either do that or sit upon the step,” said the old gentleman peevishly; and he followed Bayle into the passage, and then into the parlour, for he seemed quite at home.
Then a change came over Sir Gordon’s face, for Bayle said quietly:
“My dear Mrs Hallam, I have brought an old friend.”