The servant impenetrably waited. Mr. Vanborough impatiently gave way.
“Very well. Let her in. Mind, if she comes here, she’s only to look into the room, and go out again. If she wants to ask questions, she must go to the agent.”
Mr. Delamayn interfered once more, in the interests, this time, of the lady of the house.
“Might it not be desirable,” he suggested, “to consult Mrs. Vanborough before you quite decide?”
“Where’s your mistress?”
“In the garden, or the paddock, Sir—I am not sure which.”
“We can’t send all over the grounds in search of her. Tell the house-maid, and show the lady in.”
The servant withdrew. Mr. Delamayn helped himself to a second glass of wine.
“Excellent claret,” he said. “Do you get it direct from Bordeaux?”
There was no answer. Mr. Vanborough had returned to the contemplation of the alternative between freeing himself or not freeing himself from the marriage tie. One of his elbows was on the table, he bit fiercely at his finger-nails. He muttered between his teeth, “What am I to do?”