"A gentleman to see Mr. Drapier, madam." "He is out, isn't he?" "Yes, madam. He went out immediately after breakfast." Meanwhile Helga had hurriedly glanced at the pasteboard in her hand, and was coldly shocked by the printed name thereon. It read, HENRY SALTFLEET. … She had really not expected that they would be after poor Hugh so soon; or that it would be he. … She stood in long hesitation, then instructed the girl to inform the visitor that she would see him, and to show him into the drawing-room. No, she would not change her dress for this man. She was quite presentable, and would not have him believe that she had changed on his account. She was in a dark, well-shaped house-frock without ornaments, except her rings. So, after another long pause of thought, she merely rearranged her hair before the glass; and at once went out. The caller stood in the middle of the room to which he had been ushered, erect and expectant, facing the door. He was big of build, clothed on reticent lines in well-cut, well-worn tweeds, and was unmistakably a gentleman, which his photograph had not certainly established.
