"I am Captain Keith," he said, coming forward courteously. "Can I do anything to help you?"
"You certainly can help me, sir, if you will," replied madame.
"Then come into the library," said Keith. He ushered the dressmaker in and closed the door behind them.
"I am Madame Dupuys," she said at once. "Perhaps you have heard my name, sir? I am a well-known dressmaker; I live in Bond Street."
"You make dresses for Miss Hepworth," he said, with a smile. "She was telling me only this morning that she was going to see you. She was anxious about a dress she is to wear on Monday night."
"Miss Hepworth is going to the fancy ball at Goring as the Silver Queen," said madame.
Keith was silent for a moment; then he said,—
"Well, and what can I do for you?"
Madame looked full at him. Should she tell him, or should she be silent? Just for a moment she thought that she would reserve her information for the young man's mother; but on second thoughts the memory of her wasted time and the sorry trick which she considered Miss Hepworth had played upon her aroused her indignation. She spoke impulsively.
"I wished to see your mother, Captain Keith, on a matter of great privacy."