"Is Miss Castlemaine at home?"
The man hesitated a second, and then said:
"I believe so, sir."
"Is—is—she well?"
He did not seem to realise what he was saying, and yet he watched the servant's face closely.
"As far as I know of, sir."
"Will you tell her I wish to see her?"
Again the man hesitated.
"Excuse me, sir," he said presently, "but you can't see her."
"Why?" he asked in a dazed way.