I. IN WHICH CHETWYND LEARNS HOW A QUARREL HAS TAKEN PLACE BETWEEN ROSE AND HARRY NETTERVILLE.
|After he had dined, Chetwynd took a hansom cab and drove to Lambeth.
Alighting at the foot of the bridge, he walked to Hartley's house in Spencer's Rents, wondering whether he should find any one at home.
He knocked, but not very loudly, and the summons was presently answered by Mrs. Hartley, who came from the kitchen with a light.
“Why, bless me! if it ain't Mr. Walter Liddel—or rather I ought to say Mr. Chetwynd Calverley!” she exclaimed, very nearly letting the candle drop in her surprise. “Who would have thought of seeing you here to-night, sir?”
“I've just come to town, Mrs. Hartley,” he replied, “and I couldn't help calling to inquire how you all are. How is your worthy husband?—and how is Rose?”
“Both are well, sir,” she replied, in a tone that did not sound very cheerful, “But pray come in, sir,” she added, leading him to the little parlour, with which he was so familiar.
When another candle was lighted, and he had taken his seat, she remarked: “A good deal has happened since you went away, sir.”