"Sit down, my dear; have you come to take me for a drive, like—like—old times?"
"I have not, father. I have come to know when you expect to hear tidings of the arrival of the Esperance at Sydney."
"Not yet, Valentine. Impossible so soon. In any case we shall have a cable from Melbourne first—the vessel will touch there."
"When are you likely to hear from Melbourne?"
"Not for some days yet."
"But you know the probable time. Can you not ascertain it? Will you hear in ten days? In a week? In three days?"
"You are persistent, Valentine."
Mr. Paget raised his eyes and looked at her from head to foot.
"I will ascertain," he said in an almost cold voice, as he sounded an electric bell by his side.
Helps answered the summons.