“I’m glad of that! How did you come to be sent for?”
Thinking it might help him to gain her confidence, Dr. Netherbridge drew from his pocket Sir Philip’s summons.
Lady Cranstoun read it eagerly. After she had returned it to him, silence reigned for a few seconds. Her next question appeared startlingly irrelevant.
“The sessions are on at Guildford to-day, are they not?”
“I believe so.”
“And Sir Philip’s note was sent here from Guildford ordering the carriage to go for you?”
“No doubt he was very anxious about you,” said the doctor, hardly realizing what he was expected to say.
She stared at him for a few seconds, and then broke into a bitter, mirthless laugh.
“You don’t know, then?” she said. “After all, why should you? Yet I feel sure I can trust you. What is your name?”
“Ernest Netherbridge.”