“I would like an interview with Lady Deland,” said Nancy, bowing and smiling with affected gentility.
“I will take in your card, madame,” Nick replied, with blank countenance. “Or if you will state what your business is, I will inform her of your request.[{38}]”
“She does not know me by name,” Nancy coolly announced. “I am soliciting contributions to a very worthy cause, and I was sent here by a friend of Lady Deland. Will you kindly tell her so, and say,” she added, quite pointedly, “that she may hear something greatly to her advantage.”
Nick Carter needed to hear no more than that. He bowed and vanished.
Two minutes later he returned, saying a bit stiffly:
“Lady Deland will see you.”
“I thought she would,” remarked Nancy, with covert dryness.
Nick conducted her to the library and ushered her into the room.
Lady Deland arose to receive her and pointed to a chair.
Nancy Selig took it without the ghost of a suspicion.