“I won’t come in, I think, Herty,” he said, as Aline appeared in answer to the bell.
But Herty clung on to him.
“Oh, you must, just for a minute,” said the child. “I’m sure mamma would like to see you.”
“Madame is in the drawing-room,” put in Aline discreetly.
So, between the two, Archie allowed himself to be over-persuaded.
As Mr Dunstan, an hour later, passed the post-office on his way to the “George,” it suddenly struck him that he might call for the afternoon letters. There were two for himself, forwarded from his club—one of no special interest; the other a few hurried words from Norman Milward, whom he had not seen for a considerable time. “Hebe wants to see you,” he wrote. “She is back in London, but we have been in great anxiety lately. She wants to tell you about it herself. Do come as soon as you can.”