She turned abruptly at his words. His tone completed the trembling at her heart; she tottered rather than walked into the house; she was full of fear and misery.
Rowton, without even glancing after her, went to meet his unwelcome guest.
“Now, what has brought you here?” he asked.
“Ah! I expected you would take that sort of air when you returned to your property,” said Scrivener. “The whole thing was a mistake, and I told Long John so. And so that young lady is the angel of your life?”
“I forbid you to mention her name. What is your business here to-day?”
“To bring you a message,” said Scrivener, favouring Rowton with a long and steady glance. “You have had your five weeks; the end of your tether is therefore reached; you belong to us now, and we have something for you to do.”
“I doubt not that you have,” said Rowton.
“Yes, there is some important business waiting for you. Can you return with me to town this afternoon?”
Rowton looked both disturbed and annoyed.