“I’m awfully glad—I thought that was it. I can explain why he was there.”
“Wait,” said Dolly. “Who told you this?”
“I got it out of Laurenson. I met him at the Railway Hotel, where he was asking for you.”
“Does he know you have come to me?”
“Him? Rather not; I came right away without telling; he wouldn’t have let me if he’d known. He said he’d never explain, himself, and he wouldn’t; he can’t bear talking about it.”
“I can believe it.”
“No, really you’re quite wrong, you are indeed, Miss Fane. Laurenson isn’t like that. He went there after a girl. She had run away from her home and he wanted her to go back. He goes in for that kind of thing. He and Miss Laurenson have got a Home in London which they run out of their own money, but it’s Lal that has to do with working it; he’s better than a parson, for he doesn’t ever preach, he just lives. If he’d been anywhere in Europe that time I had to break my promise, I’d never have given way as I did and become the beast I am. He’d have seen me through. He respects you, and you simply can’t help being what he thinks. He never told me about that Home, I just found it out. I’ve been over it with him. I never shall forget it.”
“Do you know the name of the girl he saw at the Sailors’ Arms?”
“Hilda Davis. She comes from here.”
“I see. Thank you,” said Dolly. “Yes; I am glad to know.”