“That will do,” she said by way of dismissal.
A quarter of an hour passed, and when Gaunt did not arrive, her uneasiness increased; but at last he appeared, and she at once noticed a strangeness in his manner.
“I am sorry I have been so long,” he began apologetically; but he was regarding her anxiously, to see if he could gather from her attitude whether the Baron had spoken.
“I had a visit from the Baron de Croiseuil this afternoon. But won’t you sit down, John?” she said nervously.
Gaunt was inclined to think that she was still in ignorance of what he dreaded that she should hear, and a quick sigh of relief escaped him.
“What did the Baron want? You will understand that he is not exactly my friend,” he said very quietly.
“So I gathered from my interview, for he spoke very plainly about these speeches you have been making. I am afraid that you will find him an active enemy if you continue to interest yourself in the Congo.”
“The Baron and I have already discussed that matter at some length, and we were unable to arrive at an agreement. I presume he came to ask you to persuade me to keep my mouth shut?” Gaunt said grimly.
“You are right, and he did not mince matters.”
“It is his habit to be blunt where bluntness suits his purpose. May I ask what line he took?” he said casually, but Lady Mildred could see that he was very anxious.