"That is what Mrs Forrester advised. I will certainly have that done. A bed shall be put in my room, and Evans shall sleep in it to-night. Is it to make this communication that you have favoured me with the very unexpected honour of your presence here, Mr Morice?"
"No, Mrs--I beg your pardon, Miss Arnott--it is not." As she noticed the slip she flushed. "The errand which has brought me here is of a different nature, though not, I regret to say, of a more pleasant one."
"Nothing pleasant comes my way. Do not let unpleasantness deter you, Mr Morice. As you are aware I am used to it."
There was a bitterness in her tone which hurt him. He turned aside, searching for words to serve him as a coating of sugar, and failing to find them.
"Why," he presently asked, "did you instruct Ernest Gilbert to defend Jim Baker?"
She stared in amazement; evidently that was not what she expected.
"Why? Why shouldn't I?"
"For the simple but sufficient reason that he was the very last man whose interference you should have invited in a matter of this particular kind."
"Mr Stacey was of a different opinion. It was he who gave me his name. He said he was the very man I wanted."
"Mr Stacey? Mr Stacey was not acquainted with all the circumstances of the case, Miss Arnott. Had you consulted me--"