"Not at all," she said. "Come in, please."
It occurred to her that the blow would be swifter if Ford himself were present when it fell and there were no muddle of explanations to drag it out.
Ford entered reluctantly, scenting a quarrel between the two and suspicious of Margaret's intentions in desiring his presence.
"There 's a horse and orderly by the steps," he said. "Is Van Zyl somewhere about? That's why I came in, to see if he was here."
"He—he is in the study," answered Mrs. Jakes, in extreme discomfort. She turned to Margaret. "If you will come now, I will take you to him."
Ford turned, surprised.
"What for?" asked Margaret.
"He—sent for you." Mrs. Jakes did not understand the question; she only perceived dimly that some quality in the situation was changed and that she no longer counted in it.
"But what the dickens did he do that for?" asked Ford.
"We 'll see," said Margaret, forestalling Mrs. Jakes' bewildered reply. "Please tell him, Mrs. Jakes, that I am here and can spare him a few minutes at once."