It has been done before." There was a silence which seemed composed of many elements.

Sir Meyville Worth stood with his eyes fixed upon his daughter and an expression of blank, uncomprehending dismay in his features.

Granet, a frown upon his forehead, was looking towards the floor.

Thomson, with the air of seeing nobody, was studying them all in turn.

It was he who spoke first.
"As you justly remark, Miss Worth," he observed, "this sort of thing has been done before.