"From what I know of Dinah, and from what I can see of the rest of you , always excepting Stephen, of course , I should imagine that she is," replied Francis. "Perhaps she will be able to tell me whether I condole with Fay or just tactfully say nothing. It is so awkward, isn't it? I'll go and find her." With which affable speech he walked into the house leaving Camilla to exclaim that thought his manner quite odd, and Geoffrey to break forth into a bitterly expressed opinion of his persona, impudence, and conceit.
Miss Fawcett was not far to seek. As Francis strolled into the hall she was standing at the foot of the staircase conferring with Finch.
"Well, beloved?" said Francis. "I hear you have a perfect alibi. I should have guessed it anyway, from your face of conscious rectitude."
"Hullo, Francis!" said Dinah casually. "But, Fin. I'm what sort of a person?"
"A Hebrew person, miss, to my way of thinking. He states that Miss de Silva asked him to call."
"It sounds to me like a reporter," said Dinah. "Where have you put him?"
"In the morning-room, miss. Shall I take his card to Miss de Silva's room, or would you wish to see him yourself?"
"I don't know. What do you think, Francis? Finch says a man has turned up asking for Lola. Only we're having such a god-forsaken time keeping the press out that I feel a bit suspicious."
"Who is he?" asked Francis, picking the visiting-card up from the tray Finch held. "Mr. Samuel Lewis. Unknown to me, I fear."
"Permit me to introduce myself!" said a rich and cheerful voice. "Samuel Lewis, always at your service!"