"When you are in town he is always at your chambers; when you are away he receives long letters from you that I may not read."
"Yes, we have been on terms of close friendship for years. And Lord Hartledon is an idle man, you know, and looks me up."
"He said you were arranging some business for him last autumn."
"Last autumn? Let me see. Yes, I think I was."
"Mr. Carr, is it of any use playing with me? Do you think it right or kind to do so?"
His manner changed at once; he turned to her with eyes as earnest as her own.
"Lady Hartledon, I would tell you anything that I could and ought to tell you. That your husband has been engaged in some complicated business, which I have been—which I have taken upon myself to arrange for him, is very true. I know that he does not wish it mentioned, and therefore my lips are sealed: but it is as well you did not know it, for it would give you no satisfaction."
"Does it involve anything very frightful?"
"It might involve the—the loss of a large sum of money," he answered, making the best reply he could.
Lady Hartledon sank her voice to a whisper. "Does it involve the possible loss of his title?—of Hartledon?"