The man was paid; the two friends walked along the pavement together.
"I am glad to have found you after all, Evelyn," Brand said. "The fact is, my nerves have had a bad shake."
"I never knew you had any. I always fancied you could drive a fire-brigade engine full gallop along the Strand on a wet night, with the theatres coming out."
"A few minutes' talk with you will help me to pull myself together again. Need we go into the house?"
"We sha'n't wake anybody."
They noiselessly went into the house, and passed along the hall until they reached a small room behind the dining-room. The gas was lit, burning low. There were biscuits, seltzer-water, and spirits on the table.
Lord Evelyn was in the act of turning the gas higher, when he happened to catch sight of his friend. He uttered a quick exclamation. Brand, who sat down in a chair, was crying, with his hands over his face, like a woman.
"Great heavens, what is it, Brand?"
That confession of weakness did not last long. Brand rose to his feet impatiently, and took a turn or two up and down the small room.