'It's a motor-car,' I replied. 'Sir Thomas told me he had other guests coming.'
'What guests? Who are they?'
'How can I know?' I replied, for I feared to tell him what our host had told me about Lord Carbis's relations to Springfield, and that probably Lorna's engagement might be announced in a few hours.
We were both dressed ready for dinner a quarter of an hour before the time announced, and together we found our way downstairs into the reception hall. Early as we were, we found that not only was Lorna Bolivick there, but George St. Mabyn was also present and was talking eagerly to Norah Blackwater. Springfield also came a few seconds later, and went straight to Lorna's side and spoke to her with an air of proprietorship.
I felt that Edgecumbe and I were de trop, and I moved away from them, but Edgecumbe went to St. Mabyn and Norah Blackwater, as if with the purpose of speaking to them. I thought, too, that there was a strange look in his eyes.
'You are not much like your brother Maurice,' he said suddenly.
'My brother Maurice!' said St. Mabyn, and I thought his voice was hoarse. 'What do you know of him?'
'What do I know of him?' repeated Edgecumbe, and he spoke as though his mind were far away.
'Yes. You can know nothing of him. He's dead.'
'No,' replied Edgecumbe, 'he's not dead.'