'If I hear that you'll come, I'll make all the arrangements to-morrow morning before I leave for Westmorland. You can just take her round in a taxi any time you like, and the servants will be quite ready for you. You'll be close to D—— Street—close to everything. Now do!'
He stood with his hands on his side looking down eagerly and a little sharply on the hard-featured woman before him.
'It's awfully good of you,' said Bridget again—'most awfully good. Of course I'll tell Nelly what you say.'
'And drop me a line to-night?'
'Yes, I'll write.'
Sir William took up his stick.
'Well, I shall put everything in train. Tell her, please, what a pleasure she'd give us. And she won't keep Cicely away. Cicely will be up next week. But there's plenty of room. She and her maid wouldn't make any difference to you. And please tell Mrs. Sarratt too, that if there's anything I can do—anything—she has only to let me know.'
* * * * *
Bridget went back to the room upstairs. As she opened the door she saw Nelly standing under the electric light—motionless. Something in her attitude startled Bridget.
She called—