‘Good heavens, Ruth, what brings you here? he cried, starting forward as though to take her hand, then stopping short and dropping his head.
‘Edward—I beg your pardon, Mr. Marston!’ stammered Ruth, blushing crimson and trembling violently. Gertie and her grandfather looked on in astonishment.
In a moment Miss Adrian had collected herself.
‘I will call again, my child, about the canary,’ she said to Gertie; then, lowering her veil, she bowed coldly to Marston and walked rapidly out of the room.
Marston watched her till the door had closed behind her. He seemed inclined to follow, but he only took a step forward, and then, with an oath, came back again and flung himself down on an empty box.
‘This is a rum go, governor,’ said Heckett, after a pause; what does it mean?
‘Do you know that lady?’ asked Marston, answering his question with another.
‘Never see her afore. Is she a reg’lar cus., Gertie, or only a chance?
‘She comes now and then,’ stammered Gertie, hardly knowing what to say.
Marston looked at the child, and then gave a glance at the door.