“What a brute I have been,” he said. “I ought to have thought of you.”
“Would you fetch a taxi?” she said.
Collins was at the door when they drove up.
He bowed slightly to Mabel, in the deferential but not subservient manner of a courtier.
“Everything is ready for you,” he whispered. “I brought your old nurse with me. I knew you would like to have her here. She is waiting in the bedroom.” She felt a sense of pleasure at the thoughtfulness.
“I will go up,” she said.
The two men were left alone in the hall.
“I suppose you know this place well,” said Collins, carelessly.
“Of course. I was private secretary to Sir James,” said the other, stiffly.
Collins lit a cigarette, and offered his case. The other could not well refuse. “Thanks,” said he.