Sir Richard slightly changed colour at the sound of those names; and then he said, calmly and slowly—
"I don't think, unless you can assume a greater command of your feelings, that you will ever be able to tell me what you came about."
"Oh, yes—yes."
"Be seated, I pray you."
"Yes—yes. In a moment. Oh, how calm and unimpassioned you are, sir."
"It would not do for us both to lose our judgment."
Arabella began to feel a little piqued, and that feeling restored her powers to her, probably quicker than any other could have possibly done. She spoke rapidly, but distinctly.
"Sir, Miss Johanna Oakley has gone to Sweeney Todd's to find out what has become of Mr. Mark Ingestrie, and I advised her to do so; but now the knowledge that I did so advise her has driven me nearly mad. It will drive me quite mad!"
Sir Richard rose from the arm chair into which he had thrown himself, and said—
"'Miss Oakley?' said you? Why—why—what folly. But she has gone home again."