"I don't wonder," Rachel said, standing with her hand on the handle of the door, an attitude of all others least inviting of confidence. "Who let it out?"
"That is what we want to know," said Rendel. "That is what Lord Stamfordham came here to ask."
"Well, he doesn't think it was you, I suppose," said Rachel, smiling at the absurd suggestion.
"It is quite possible," Rendel said, with a dim idea that he would lead up to the statement, "that he might—that he does."
"What!" said Rachel, opening her eyes wide. "Frank! how absurd!"
"So it seems to me," said Rendel sombrely.
"Too ridiculous!—I'll come down in one moment," Rachel said apologetically. "I don't want to keep my father waiting."
"Don't say anything to him," said Rendel, "of what I have just been saying to you."
"Oh, no, I won't indeed," Rachel said. "He ought not to have anything to excite him to-day," and she went rapidly upstairs.