“I believe I have not met you before. You are Mr. Briggs’ ward or protégé?”
“Yes, madam.”
“I thought you were at a boarding-school somewhere in the country.”
“So I have been, madam; but the term is at an end, and Mr. Briggs sent for me to come to the city.”
“Indeed! Have you seen Mr. Briggs this morning?”
“Yes, madam. It is by his direction that I have ordered my trunk brought here.”
The lady arched her eyebrows slightly.
“Then you propose to favor us with a visit,” she said.
There was a slight emphasis on the word favor, which Gilbert felt to be a sneer.
“I am at Mr. Briggs’ disposal,” he answered. “He ordered me to come here first. I hope I may not give you any trouble.”