Bevil, however, lost no time in repairing to the Hôtel St. Antoine, resolved to see Sir Ranald—Alison too, if possible, if it was not too late; but he was rather unprepared for the state of affairs that awaited him there.
Meeting the concierge or hall-porter at the door, he asked with some anxiety if Sir Ranald Cheyne was still there.
'Oui, monsieur,' replied the porter, saluting in military fashion.
'And Miss Cheyne?'
'Non, monsieur.'
The reply sank deep in Goring's heart, and he was perplexed when the official at the same time mysteriously shook his head and shrugged his shoulders with a deprecatory expression in his face.
'Is Lord Cadbury here?'
'Milord is out also,' was the reply.
'Also—then they are together!' thought Goring. 'Take up my card to Sir Ranald, and ask if he will receive me.'
It was taken up by a waiter, who returned promptly to report, in Continental parlance, that 'Sir Cheyne desired him to walk up.'