Her eyes were blazing with a curious mixture of joy, excitement, and fear.
"Let us go to him," she exclaimed; "let us go to him at once. Let us take him the dressing-case."
I folded up the telegram and put it into my pocket.
Then I crossed the room and rang the bell. When my servant appeared, I gave him the following message:—
"Tell the messenger from Mercer's," I said, "that I will be round immediately, and tell him to ask the manager to do nothing until I come."
My servant withdrew and Miss Sinclair moved impatiently towards the door.
"Let us go," she said: "there is not a moment to lose. Let us take the dressing-case ourselves."
"I will take it," I replied; "you must not come."
"Why?" she asked, keen remonstrance in her tone.
"Because I can do better without you," I replied, firmly.