There was much distress in her tone, but withal such firmness that the clerk could not help looking at her with admiration.
"I would gladly take your message, Miss Staunton, but it would be useless. I know beforehand that nothing will induce Mr. Gering to see you."
"He must see me," replied Effie in a firm voice. "If no one here will be polite enough to take him my message, I will go to him myself."
Before one of the clerks could prevent her, Effie walked across the large room, opened the door where the clerk who took Mr. Gering his letters had vanished, and found herself the next moment in a handsomely furnished room, where a portly old gentleman was seated at a desk.
He looked up in unfeigned astonishment when he saw a pretty girl standing near the door.
As she did not speak for an instant, he raised his voice with an inquiry.
"May I ask what you are doing here?" he said.
"I have come to speak to you about my brother," said Effie.
"Your brother! What do you mean? Who is your brother?"
"George Staunton."