"Oh, I don't think I can do that, ma'am. He's rather poorly; he's keeping his room. The doctor don't think that it's anything serious, but as master is not quite a young gentleman he says it's best to be on the safe side."
"Is Mr Lycett-Landon your master?"
"Yes, ma'am," with a little curtsey.
"Has he been ill long?"
"Oh, bless you, not at all. He has his 'ealth as well as could be wished; only a little bilious or that now and then, as gentlemen will be. They ain't so careful in what they eat and drink as ladies—that's what I always say."
"He is only bilious then—not ill? not long ill? there has been no—operation?"
"Oh, bless you, nothing of the sort!" the young woman said, with the most evident astonishment.
Mrs Lycett-Landon put all these questions in a kind of dream. Something kept her from saying who she was. She felt a curious anxiety to find out all the details before she announced herself.
"I think he will see me," she said, a little faintly. "I have come a long way to see him. Take me to him, please."
"Is it business, ma'am?" said the girl.