Mrs. Lee lifted her hand in dismay.
"He is here?"
"He is seated on the lawn just outside, Madame," Ruffin hastened to reassure her. "I thought at the last moment I'd better have him wait until I received Colonel Lee's consent to the interview."
"I'm glad you did."
"Oh, it will be all right, I assure you!"
"He might not wish to see a reporter—"
"So I told the young man."
"I'm afraid—"
"I'll pave the way, Madame. I'll pave the way. Colonel Lee and I are life-long friends. Will you kindly announce me?"
"The Colonel has just ridden up to the stables to give some orders about his horses. He'll be here in a moment."