"Ah, yes," he murmured. "Very distressing! Most distressing!"
He looked vaguely round the room; and Gallagher, as if anticipating his thought, pulled out his watch.
Milbanke rose quickly.
"I thank you very much, Doctor Molyneaux," he said, "for your—your valuable opinion. I think Miss Asshlin wishes to know if your train will permit you to partake of some dinner before you leave us?"
Molyneaux smiled with the air of a man who has put an unpleasant duty aside.
"Ah, thank you!" he said suavely. "Thank you! If Doctor—Gallagher gives me permission I shall be charmed. He understands your local time-tables, and has promised that I shall catch the night mail to Dublin."
He smiled again and glanced genially round the firelit room.
"What interesting family portraits our poor friend possesses!" he added with pleasant affability.
But Milbanke did not seem to hear.
"If you will excuse me for a moment," he said hastily, "I will see that you are caused no unnecessary delay. You can understand that we—that we are a somewhat demoralised household."