“Have you been appointed secretary of legation at Ujiji?” laughed Jack. “You look about as cheerful as if you were in for the yellow fever.”
“Drop chaff, Jack; I want to have a long talk with you.”
“Take that chair, old fellow, and out with it, whatever it is,” cried Pommery, rolling a luxurious arm-chair to his companion and flinging himself upon a sofa.
“Jack, go and call at the Charing Cross Hotel to-day.”
“What to do?”
“Miss Geraldine Devereux is stopping there.”
“Miss who?” demanded the other, springing like an acrobat to his feet.
“Miss Geraldine Devereux, of Ballybo, County Mayo.”
“You don’t mean it, Percival!” a great wave of joy passing over his handsome face.
“I do indeed.”