'Wilderspin,' I said, 'I cannot do the picture justice at this moment. I must see it again—after I have seen her. Where is she? Can I not see her now?'
'You cannot.'
'Can I not see her to-day?'
'You cannot. I will tell you soon, and I have much to tell you,' said Wilderspin, looking uneasily round at my mother, who did not seem inclined to leave us. 'I will tell you all about her when—when you are sufficiently calm.'
'Tell me now,' I said.
'Gad! this is a strange affair, don't you know? It would puzzle Cyril
Aylwin himself,' said Sleaford. 'What the dooce does it all mean?'
'Is she safe?' I cried to Wilderspin.
There was a pause.
'Is she safe?' I cried again.
'Quite safe,' said Wilderspin, in a tone whose solemnity would have scared me had the speaker been any other person than this eccentric creature. 'When you are less agitated, I will tell you all about her.'