For a moment the woman was incoherent. Then—"Mr. Bullard, we have your promise that you would see that matter put right."
"My dear lady, this calamity was not to be foreseen. I am unspeakably sorry, but I have been hard hit, and the plain truth is that I am quite powerless for the present. Of course I shall do what I can to delay—er—discovery, but unfortunately I must leave for South Africa on Friday, this day week."
"Then all is lost! Ruin—disgrace—"
"Not so loud, please. Be calm. All may not yet be lost—if you at once accept young Craig's invitation. Now let us leave it at that. To-night I am distracted by a thousand things, but I will call in the morning to enquire for your husband and, incidentally, to make things clearer to you."
"Can't you explain now? I shan't be able to sleep—"
"No…. But, by the way, it would do no harm were your husband to ask Craig, if he is really friendly, for a loan. If I'm any judge of men, Craig is the sort of silly fool who, because he has come into a bit of money, is ready to give lots of it away. However, you can suggest it to your husband, if you like. How is he to-night?"
"I think he is better, but he was so excitable a little while ago that I had to give him some sleeping medicine. He is sleeping now."
"Sooner or later, you know, he has got to be told of the Johannesburg disaster. What about getting Doris to break it?"
After a pause—"I'll see," said Mrs. Lancaster, "but I do wish you would give me some idea—"
"You really must excuse me. I hear some one coming in to see me. Till to-morrow—good-bye!"