“What is the ‘one thing’?”
Lady Janet’s reply pointed—not too palpably at first—at that second motive for Julian’s journey which she had suspected Julian of concealing from her.
“I want to know,” she said, “why you troubled yourself to make your inquiries on the Continent in person? You know where my old courier is to be found. You have yourself pronounced him to be the most intelligent and trustworthy of men. Answer me honestly—could you not have sent him in your place?”
“I might have sent him,” Julian admitted, a little reluctantly.
“You might have sent the courier—and you were under an engagement to stay here as my guest. Answer me honestly once more. Why did you go away?”
Julian hesitated. Lady Janet paused for his reply, with the air of a women who was prepared to wait (if necessary) for the rest of the afternoon.
“I had a reason of my own for going,” Julian said at last.
“Yes?” rejoined Lady Janet, prepared to wait (if necessary) till the next morning.
“A reason,” Julian resumed, “which I would rather not mention.”
“Oh!” said Lady Janet. “Another mystery—eh? And another woman at the bottom of it, no doubt. Thank you—that will do—I am sufficiently answered. No wonder, as a clergyman, that you look a little confused. There is, perhaps, a certain grace, under the circumstances, in looking confused. We will change the subject again. You stay here, of course, now you have come back?”