“Oh, Mr Jeffreys, how glad I am to see you back! Poor Percy has been in such want of you! These Oxford friends of his, I am certain, have not been doing him any good. Have you seen him? I am so happy you have come back!”
Jeffreys was not made of adamant, and a greeting like this, even though it was offered on some one else’s behalf, was enough to drive Mrs Rimbolt completely out of his head.
“I am very fortunate to be able to make you happy so easily,” said he. “Yes, I have seen Percy, and heard all his troubles. How could any one help being grateful for a confidence like his? You know, Miss Atherton, I would do anything for him.”
“I believe you,” said she warmly. “You are good and unselfish.”
“Do you mind my saying,” said Jeffreys, colouring, “that it is an additional pleasure to do what I can for Percy if it makes you happy?”
“I don’t mind your saying it if it is true. It does make me happy.”
And her face was the best witness to her sincerity.
Jeffreys was not the only person who saw that bright smile. Mrs Rimbolt, entering the room at that moment, saw it too, and heard the words which it accompanied.
She glared round witheringly on Jeffreys.
“So, Mr Jeffreys, you are here. What brings you here?”