'My friend! Mr. Masters!'
'Pardon me; your satellite, then. She was revolving near you the day before yesterday.' At this point the door opened and a voice said:
'Miss Ross, the laundress is here about your washing.'
Miss Ross rose with alacrity, a benevolent smile upon her sweet face.
'Mr. Masters,' she said, 'thee must save thy story or tell it twice over, for I must beg thee to excuse me now. I can't send this poor woman away, and I ought not to make her wait.'
'It's one of Aunt Ann's protégées,' explained Miss Jenrys, 'and she has come by appointment.'
Mentally thankful for this interruption, I assured Miss Ross that my story should wait, and when she had left us alone I turned at once to Miss Jenrys.
'I am glad of this opportunity,' I began at once, 'for I have something to tell you which I prefer to make known to you first, although I should have told my story, even in your aunt's presence, if necessary, before leaving to-day.'
And as directly as possible I told of my acquaintance with the handsome guard.
Beginning with her encounter with the Turkish palanquin-bearers, I described my interview with the guard, repeated his words, his questions concerning her welfare, his statement that she was not a stranger to him, and then, with her interest and her curiosity well aroused, I described him.