“Is Mrs. Pelham in?” asked Barbara.
“Yes, Lady Pelham, but——”
“I must see her immediately.”
“I will let her know that you have called, Lady Pelham.”
The man’s face was certainly queer. He stood in such a position that Barbara had almost to push past him into the hall.
“Don’t keep me,” she said. “I will go and see Mrs. Pelham without being announced. Is she in the drawing-room?”
“I believe so, my lady. But if you will excuse me, my lady——”
Barbara did not hear, she was already half-way up the stairs. The next moment she had entered the well-known drawing-room. Mrs. Pelham was seated with her back to her, busily writing. The widow’s little figure looked alert, even the back of her head seemed full of a new resolution.
Barbara went silently up to her and touched her on the arm. Mrs. Pelham turned with a start. When she saw Barbara she became very white.
“You, you have come here?” she said.