Moore opened the door that Sir Percival might pass out and found himself face to face with Bessie Dyke, who had paused on the threshold preparatory to knocking.
"You, Bessie?" he stammered, for the moment completely confused.
Bessie was not at all embarrassed until, on entering, her eye fell on Sir Percival. Then she blushed slightly, but after a momentary hesitation turned to Moore and said:
"I thought my father was here, or I should not have ventured up."
"He was here a while ago and I expect him to return any moment," answered Moore, eagerly taking his cue from Bessie.
"A note came to the house for him marked 'Immediate,'" continued the girl, ribbing adroitly, "so I thought best to follow him here."
"Won't you wait for him?" asked Moore, pushing forward the arm-chair.
"I fancy," said Sir Percival, "I fancy Mistress Dyke will not care to remain here since her father is absent."
"Why not?" demanded Moore, angrily.
"This is scarcely the place nor the company for a lady to remain in," replied the baronet.