“Oh yes, 'm,” said one of the women; and saying this, she went down stairs.
In a few moments Dr. Morton came up, followed by the women. The two men who had been standing at the door came into the hall, and stood there at the foot of the stairs.
“Where is Sir Lionel?” was Lady Dudleigh's first words.
The doctor smiled blandly.
“Well, he has just gone, you know; but he'll soon be back—oh yes, quite soon. You wait here, and you may go to your room.”
He spoke in an odd, coaxing tone, as though he were addressing some fretful child whom it was desirable to humor.
“Gone!” exclaimed Lady Dudleigh.
“Yes, but he'll soon be back. You needn't wait long. And these women will take you to your own room. You'll find it very pleasant.”
“I have no room here,” said Lady Dudleigh, haughtily. “If Sir Lionel has gone, I shall go too;” and with these words she tried to move past the woman who was in front of her. But the woman would not move, and the other woman and the doctor stood there looking at her. All at once the truth dawned upon her, or a part of the truth. She had been brought here, and they would keep her here. Who they were she could not imagine, but their faces were not at all prepossessing.
“Oh, it's all right,” said the doctor, in a smooth voice. “You shall go to-morrow. We'll send for Sir Lionel.”