“Mr. Gaunt is speaking of what is not yet settled,” the latter said with an air of embarrassment, which was not lost to Lady Ethel’s keen eyes.
“If I have interrupted you, I will go. That wretched nurse has forbidden me the room. She says that I excite the patient too much.”
She moved towards the door but Gaunt called her back.
“We have quite finished our little talk, and will be glad if you will give us some tea,” he said politely.
Drake glanced hastily at his watch and uttered an exclamation.
“I had no idea it was so late. It is after four o’clock,” he cried in surprise.
“You must manage to spare a few more minutes. I will ring for tea at once,” Lady Ethel said peremptorily.
Drake followed her with his eyes, and her beauty was a revelation to him.
A woman always knows when she has aroused a man’s interest, and when Lady Ethel returned there was a mischievous smile on her face. It must be remembered that she was little more than a girl, and had not fully realized the power that beauty gives to a woman, but she saw that this good-looking clergyman liked her.
“Will your chaplaincy necessitate your residence with us?” she asked gravely.