“And I think that it would be wiser if I went to him. I speak as your husband’s friend,” he cried imploringly.
“You speak very strangely, Mr. Drake. Please let me pass.”
He realized that it was useless to insist further, and uttering an exclamation of disappointment, drew back. If Edward Drake had had a greater knowledge of the feminine character, he would have understood that he had taken the very course to make Lady Mildred see the Baron, for he had succeeded in arousing her curiosity.
The Baron was already in the drawing-room, and hastened forward to greet her, a pleasant smile on his face.
“It is a pleasure to meet you once more, Lady Mildred. It has always been a great regret that I was not able to be present at your marriage, especially as Mr. Gaunt was once a great friend of mine,” he said effusively.
“I was not aware of the friendship,” she answered quietly.
“Yes. In the days when we were in the Congo. In fact, I was one of the first to meet your husband when he arrived, and I think I helped him to success.”
“My husband does not talk much to me about those days.”
“It is a pity that he does not carry out the same rule with regard to the rest of the world. Of course you know of these speeches he has been making?” the Baron remarked casually.
“I was present at the first of them. Now I think I understand the reason of your call. It was not entirely for the pleasure of seeing me,” she said quickly.