"I am afraid I can only tell you one thing about him."
"Yes," said Lady Pridmore encouragingly!
"At the present moment he is very dangerously ill. The doctors take a very grave view of his case."
Lady Pridmore was grieved to hear that, but it fully confirmed what she had surmised.
What had she surmised?
"I am quite sure that something rather dreadful took place here a week ago."
Ambrose felt that was most probable.
"I wish you would tell me, Edward," said Lady Pridmore, "what in your opinion it was that happened."
The retort on the tip of Edward's tongue was, "How the devil should I know!" but fortunately he didn't allow it to pass. He contented himself with silence.
"I want to see Mary most particularly," he said, after a pause. "I think I'll send her a telegram to say that I am coming by the first train tomorrow."