"May I look at that card?" inquired the major. She gave it to him. "This is the most extraordinary thing to receive. May I ask how it reached you?"
"I found it awaiting me on my return home this afternoon. I was told that a man had brought it who said that there was no answer."
Captain Draycott carried the lady's explanation several stages farther.
"That card came from me; I wrote it. I gave Barnes directions to show Miss Forster in here directly she arrived. As Miss Forster is at least as much interested in Sydney Beaton as any of us, and has heard one story, I consider that the least we can do is to give her the first opportunity which offers to become acquainted with the truth."
The major still seemed uncomfortably conscious of the irregularity of the position.
"Really I hardly know what to say; but if it is the general wish that this lady shall remain----"
Mr. Tickell took upon himself to answer before the sentence was concluded.
"Of course it's the general wish; we are only too glad to have Miss Forster among us. Miss Forster, won't you have a chair?"
The lady declined; she said she would rather stand. One person declared himself to be in disagreement with Mr. Tickell--Anthony Dodwell.
"Without intending the least discourtesy, I cannot admit that Draycott is entitled to introduce his lady friends where no ladies are allowed, even if the intruder is Miss Forster."