CHAPTER XXVI.
IN THE ROCKAWAY.
When, however, a little later, that young lady came forth to her carriage, attended as usual by a retinue of servitors, a single figure was standing by her carriage door. He stood aside to let the devotees put Wych Hazel into the little rockaway which was her sole present equipage; but when the last words had been said and the last man stepped back, Rollo stood at the door before Dingee had time to shut it.
'Will you give me a seat as far as Mr. Falkirk's?' he said, looking in.
Now when you have not seen a person for six weeks or so, a request for a seat in your carriage is not generally the opening remark, and Wych Hazel paused in a sort of astonishment. Then another thing made her hesitate.
'If you will answer it to Mr. Falkirk,' she said. 'You know I am forbidden to give any one a seat in my carriage. Have you a special permit, Mr. Rollo?'
'I never ask for what I cannot have,' he said, jumping in. And then he offered her his hand. 'How do you do?'
'Very well. I should think that must make you an adept in
Prim's beloved art of waiting,' said Wych Haze.
'If the lesson must be learnt, I would rather wait before asking. After that, I believe I do not know how to practise it. How do you feel about waiting for your horses?'
'Feeling is dead, and impatience is all tired out with hard work and want of sympathy. So it is pretty quiet just now.'