But the head-lines were as much as he had the heart to read. He threw the sheet angrily to the floor and began to stride back and forth across the room.
“Sit down,” said Hetzel, “or you’ll wake Mrs. Hart.”
“Oh, to be sure,” assented Arthur; and did as he was bidden.
By and by, “Do you know at what hours visitors are admitted?” Hetzel asked.
“I—I think between ten and four.”
“Well, then, we’ll want a carriage here at halfpast nine. I’ll send out now to order one.”
For a second time Hetzel left the room. When he got back, he said that he had dispatched a servant to the nearest livery stable.
At this juncture Mrs. Hart appeared, very old and gray and pallid. She came in without speaking, and took a chair near the window.
“I hope your nap has refreshed you,” Hetzel ventured.
“Oh, yes,” she replied dismally, “I suppose it has.—Where have you been, Arthur?”