"She told me after I had mentioned my wish to go and see her. She even implored me so repeatedly to go that I—"
"Nearly did not go at all."
"Exactly. But in this case I persevered because I am, or hope I am, a friend of hers. But I was not rewarded."
"I thought you said you had seen her."
"Oh yes, I saw her, and I saw that she looked very ill. But I found it impossible to have any conversation with her in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Gresley. Whenever I spoke to her Mr. Gresley answered, and sometimes Mrs. Gresley also. In fact, Mr. Gresley considered the call as paid to himself. Mrs. Loftus tells me he is much cleverer than his sister, but I did not gain that impression. And after I had given tongue to every platitude I could think of I had to take my leave."
"Hester ought to have come to the rescue."
"She did try. She offered to show me the short cut to Wilderleigh across the fields. But unluckily—"
"I can guess what you are going to say."
"I am sure you can. Mr. Gresley accompanied us, and Miss Gresley turned back at the first gate."
"You have my sympathy."