“A strong man, your brother-in-law. I must see what I can do with him. When is he coming here?”
“I regret to say that he refuses to come at all,” the Earl answered hesitatingly.
“Ah, that is serious, for it sounds like a declaration of war,” the minister said slowly.
“He intimated that if you wished to see him you would find him at Gaunt House. I am very sorry that I have not been more successful, sir.”
“So am I,” Sir Keith answered drily, and then lapsed into silence.
The Earl fidgeted in his chair, for he began to imagine that his presence had been forgotten, but suddenly he felt a pair of piercing gray eyes turned towards him.
“You had better remain in London for the present. Are you staying with Mr. Gaunt?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Remain there, for you may be useful. Just one question, and it is rather a delicate one. What attitude does Lady Mildred take up? Of course you spoke to her on the subject?”
“Yes, and I am sorry to say that she backs up her husband. She seems to have changed a good deal since her marriage.”