fortunate as to startle
you," he said, with a certain underlying embarrassment in his manner.
"I had the honor of sending word by Mr. Moody that I would call at this
hour, on some matters of business connected with your Ladyship's house
property. I presumed that you expected to find me here, waiting your
pleasure--"

Thus far Lady Lydiard had listened to her legal adviser, fixing her eyes
on his face in her usually frank, straightforward way. She now stopped
him in the middle of a sentence, with a change of expression in her own
face which was undisguisedly a change to alarm.

"Don't apologize, Mr. Troy," she said. "I am to blame for forgetting
your appointment and for not keeping my nerves under proper control."
She paused for a moment and took a seat before she said her next words.
"May I ask," she resumed, "if there is something unpleasant in the
business that brings you here?"

"Nothing whatever, my Lady; mere formalities, which can wait till
to-morrow or next day, if you wish it."

Lady Lydiard's fingers drummed impatiently on the table. "You have known
me long enough, Mr. Troy, to know that I cannot endure suspense. You
_have_ something unpleasant to tell me."

The lawyer respectfully remonstrated. "Really, Lady Lydiard!--" he
began.

"It won't do, Mr. Troy! I know how you look at me on ordinary occasions,
and I see how you look at me now. You are a very clever lawyer; but,
happily for the interests that I commit to your charge, you are also a
thoroughly honest man. After twenty years' experience of you, you can't
deceive _me_. You bring me bad news. Speak at once, sir, and speak
plainly."

Mr. Troy yielded--inch by inch, as it were. "I bring news which, I fear,
may annoy your Ladyship." He paused, and advanced another inch. "It is
news which I only became acquainted with myself on entering this house."

He waited again, and made another advance. "I happened to meet your
Ladyship's steward, Mr. Moody, in the hall--"

"Where is he?" Lady Lydiard interposed angrily. "I can make _him_ speak
out, and I will. Send him here instantly."

The lawyer made a last effort to hold off the coming disclosure a little
longer. "Mr. Moody will be here directly," he said. "Mr. Moody requested
me to prepare your Ladyship--"

"Will you ring the bell, Mr. Troy, or must I?"

Moody had evidently been waiting outside while the lawyer spoke for him.
He saved Mr. Troy the trouble of ringing the bell by presenting himself
in