"Did you want me, sir?"
"I do. Come in and shut the door. What I want from you, Lizzy, is a little bit of information. If, as I believe, you are true to the house you serve, and its interests, you will give it me truthfully."
Lizzy burst into tears, without any occasion, that I could see, and hung her head. Evidently there was something or other on which she feared to be questioned.
"It's what I always have been, sir, and what I hope I shall be. What have I done?"
"Did Mrs. Penn give you a letter, some two or three hours ago, to deliver at Mr. Edwin Barley's?"
"Yes, sir," was the reply, spoken without hesitation or embarrassment. Apparently that was not Lizzy Dene's sore point.
"Did you deliver it?"
Lizzy hesitated now, and Mr. Chandos repeated his question.
"Now only to think that one can't meet with an accident without its being known all round as soon as done!" she exclaimed. "If I had thought you had anything to do with the matter, sir, I'd have told the truth when I came back; but I was afraid Mrs. Penn would be angry with me."
"I shall be pleased to hear that the letter was not delivered," said Mr. Chandos. "So tell the truth now."