Madge acknowledged the introduction with an inclination of the head which was so faint as to be almost imperceptible. Mr. Graham, on the contrary, bent almost double--he seemed scarcely more at his ease than she was.
"I'm afraid, Miss Brodie, that I've behaved very badly. I trust you will allow me to express my contrition."
"I beg you will not mention it," she turned away; "I will go and tell Ella you have come."
There came a voice from behind her.
"You needn't--Ella is aware of it already."
As Ella came into the room, she moved to leave it. Jack caught her by the arm.
"Madge, don't go away in a fume!--you wait till you have heard what I have got to say. Do you know that we're standing in the presence of a romance in real life--on the verge of a blood-curdling mystery? Fact!--aren't we, Graham?"
Mr. Graham's language was slightly less emphatic.
"We are, or rather we may be confronted by rather a curious condition of affairs."
Jack waved his arm excitedly.