He wanted to see Launa grow red again, as well as to discover who she thought she had seen.
She laughed.
“Was it a ghost?” asked Lady Blake.
She looked uncomfortable. She had some ghosts behind her—a brother and sister who were poor, and who lived at Clapham. They worked, and she ignored them.
“A ghost!” repeated Wainbridge. “Do you believe in ghosts, Miss Archer?”
“Do I? Souls of the dead! I wish I could see them.”
“Don’t!” exclaimed Lady Blake. I believe in premonitory warnings. You did not see me walking, did you, Miss Archer? I hope not.”
“No, I only saw an old friend—an old Canadian friend. But it was only in fancy, for the next moment it was gone.”
There was a slight pause when she said “it was gone.” Mr. Wainbridge noticed she used “it.”
Lady Blake said “Oh” sadly, and then continued: “Premonitory warnings are so interesting. Was the friend an old, I mean an ancient grey-headed friend, or only old as regards the time of friendship? Was it a woman?”