"His lordship has arrived?" his mistress immediately put to him.
"No, my lady, but Lord John has—to know if he's expected here, and in that case, by your ladyship's leave, to come up."
Her ladyship turned to the girl. "May Lord John—as we do await your father—come up?"
"As suits you, please!"
"He may come up," said Lady Sandgate to Gotch. "His lordship's expected." She had a pause till they were alone again, when she went on to her companion: "You asked me just now if I understood. Well—I do understand!"
Lady Grace, with Gotch's withdrawal, which left the door open, had reached the passage to the other room. "Then you'll excuse me!"—she made her escape.
II
Lord John, reannounced the next instant from the nearest quarter and quite waiving salutations, left no doubt of the high pitch of his
