The Under-Secretary for the Home Department came up behind them.
“Bolton, have you heard?” he asked, and kept his eyes fixed on Launa. He might have kept his information to himself had not Mr. Bolton been occupied with her.
“What?” asked the Member for Hackney. He did not desire to know anything further. His interest in the Colonies, as exemplified by Launa, was absorbing.
She smiled at the Under-Secretary, who wondered if Mr. Bolton would leave her when he heard the news.
“There has been a skirmish somewhere in Africa, and Fairmouth is, the telegram says, dead. You are Lord Fairmouth. I thought you would like to hear it.”
He waited. Sylvia gave a sort of moan and put out her hands.
“I loved him,” she said.
The Member for Hackney started, and Launa said:
“Miss Cooper and I must go home. Mr. George, will you give her your arm? Hugh, you will get us our carriage?”
Mr. Bolton stayed by Launa; the Under-Secretary had vanished.