“Baron de Croiseuil called this afternoon, and Lady Mildred insisted upon seeing him. They may be together now.”
Gaunt smothered an oath, as he crossed the room to ring the bell, and no word was spoken until the footman came.
“Is your mistress alone?” Gaunt demanded abruptly.
“Yes, I think so, sir.”
“Has the Baron de Croiseuil gone?”
“Yes, sir. About a quarter of an hour ago.”
“You can go, James,” Gaunt said to the footman, and as soon as the latter had left the room he sank back into a chair with a groan.
“Is it very serious, what he might say to Lady Mildred?” Drake asked hurriedly.
“Lady Mildred will consider it more than serious. But don’t talk for a few minutes. I want to do some hard thinking.”
It was a quarter of an hour before Gaunt sprang to his feet, and there was the light of battle in his eyes.