"By all means my dear fellow," he said cordially, "come to my library where we shall be quite alone."
Never had Trent been bidden to this great book lined chamber. It was open neither to those who came on visitors' day nor to the casual guest. It was here the earl and the prime minister were closeted for several hours.
"My lord," Trent began, "I am going to say something that will first of all astonish you and then probably make you angry at what seems presumption."
"I hardly think you will do that," the other said urbanely. He was sure now it had to do with Lady Daphne.
"You have said," Trent went on, "that you are grateful to me for my help to your son, Arthur."
"I am profoundly grateful," the earl said quickly, "you have made a new man of him."
"Then promise me you will not interrupt me by ringing for a servant to show me out."
"I will promise that blindly," smiled the nobleman.
"I owe a debt to your family. Arthur saved my life and I am still a debtor. Since I have been here I have found out a great deal about your life work. I found out also that at a moment when the Empire most needed you you retired. I know at the present moment your name is being mentioned everywhere as the most suitable for one of the highest offices under the crown. I know the prime minister made a golfing trip to Newquay the excuse to call on you personally. I know that in this very room you refused a request from your sovereign."
There was no doubting the agitation this statement produced in the ex-ambassador. But he was mindful of his promise.