“Paid my bills! You say that blackguard had the cheek to—”
“He got me to do it; it was his money, though.”
He groaned as if some one had wounded him. A crimson flush of shame and mortification overspread his face, and for a moment he stared at me speechless.
Then he pulled himself together and strode out of the room. Utterly bewildered and half terrified, I followed him. What had I done to offend him? Had all the trouble of the term turned his head?
To my alarm he made straight for Crofter’s study. No one was there. He turned and saw me.
“Tell Crofter I want him at once.”
I departed with my heart in my mouth. At the foot of the staircase I met Crofter.
“Tempest wants to see you,” said I; “he sent me to—to ask you to come.”
“He doesn’t know?” inquired Crofter.
“Yes—I told him—I—I thought I ought to let him know.” Crofter laughed his sweet laugh.