After the first explanations had been given, Sir Patrick patiently reverted to the object of his visit to Holchester House. On the first occasion when he mentioned Anne’s name he observed that Mr. Marchwood became, from that moment, specially interested in what he was saying.
“Do you happen to be acquainted with the lady?” he asked
“I only know her as the cause of a very strange proceeding, this morning, in that room.” He pointed to Lord Holchester’s bedroom as he spoke.
“Are you at liberty to mention what the proceeding was?”
“Hardly—even to an old friend like you—unless I felt it a matter of duty, on my part, to state the circumstances. Pray go on with what you were saying to me. You were on the point of telling me what brought you to this house.”
Without a word more of preface, Sir Patrick told him the news of Geoffrey’s marriage to Anne.
“Married!” cried Mr. Marchwood. “Are you sure of what you say?”
“I am one of the witnesses of the marriage.”
“Good Heavens! And Lord Holchester’s lawyer has left the house!”
“Can I replace him? Have I, by any chance justified you in telling me what happened this morning in the next room?”