Chapter 8: VIII

VIII I “Her ladyship told me to show you in here, sir,” said the footman at half-past eight on Sunday evening. Laurie put down his hat, slipped off his coat, and went into the dining room. The table was still littered with dessert-plates and napkins. Two people had dined there he observed. He went round to the fire, wondering vaguely as to why he had not been shown upstairs, and stood, warming his hands behind him, and looking at the pleasant gloom of the high picture-hung walls.…