“There is Lord Grayleigh,” he said. “I must go at once. Yes, the bills will be paid.” He laid his hand for a moment on her shoulder.
“There is nothing else, is there, Mildred?”
“No,” she began, then she hesitated.
“What more?”
“A trinket, it took my fancy—a diamond cross—you noticed it. I could not resist it.”
“How much?” said the man. His face was very stern and white, and there was a blue look round his lips.
“Two thousand pounds.”
“Let me have the bill to-morrow at latest. It shall be cleared. Now don’t keep me.”
He strode past her and went up to where Lord Grayleigh was waiting for him.
“This is good,” said the nobleman. “I am very sorry I could not come to town. Yes, my ankle is better, but I dare not use it. I am limping, as you see.”