On an afternoon subsequent to this episode Dulcie was lost in a day-dream, born of her own sad thoughts, her soft blue eyes fixed vacantly on the hideous and dingy brick edifices of the thoroughfare in which she dwelt; and when roused therefrom by the little maid of all work, she gazed at her with a somewhat dazed expression.
'What is it, Ellen?' she asked.
'A gentleman, miss, wishes to see you.'
Alarm—dread, she knew not of what, was her first idea now.
'Who is he?' she asked.
'I don't know, miss.'
'Is he old or young?'
'Young.'
'Then he can't be the vicar?'
'Oh, lawk, no, miss, he ain't a bit like a clergyman,' replied the housemaid, laughing.